Whispering Oaks dam
Whispering Oaks
Whispering Oaks, also known as Bear Creek Lake, is a privately owned dam located in Merced, California. Built in 1968, this gravity-type structure stands at a height of 31 feet and serves primarily for water supply purposes. With a storage capacity of 69 acre-feet and a drainage area of 26.5 square miles, Whispering Oaks plays a crucial role in providing water for both recreational activities and water supply needs in the region.
Maintained and regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, Whispering Oaks has been deemed to have a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition according to the latest assessment in September 2017. The dam overlooks the scenic Bear Creek, offering not only a source of water but also a picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy. Despite its remote location in Mariposa County, Whispering Oaks stands as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
With its strategic location and role in water management, Whispering Oaks serves as a vital piece of infrastructure in the Sacramento District. Under the oversight of state regulatory agencies, the dam ensures a stable water supply for the surrounding area while also providing opportunities for recreation and leisure. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, understanding the significance of structures like Whispering Oaks highlights the interconnectedness of water management, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship in safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Whispering Oaks -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turlock Cn Nr La Grange Ca | 912 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Bl Lagrange Dam Nr Lagrange Ca | 186 cfs | → |
| Modesto Cn Nr La Grange Ca | 834 cfs | → |
| Big C Ab Whites Gulch Nr Groveland Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Bl Early Intake Nr Mather Ca | 1,990 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whispering Oaks.
Boat launches
- County Road 29 Madera County
- Road 29 Madera County
- Merals Pool Put-In
- Forest Route 1n10 Tuolumne County
- Madera County
Campgrounds
- Mariposa Fairgrounds
- Bagby Rec Area
- Mccabe Flat
- Lake Mcswain Rec Area
- Railroad Flat
- Mccabe Flat Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Middle Fork Tuolumne River To Confluence With Tuolumne River
- Clavey River From Cottonwood Road To Confluence With Tuolumne
- Headwaters Near The Tuolumne And Mariposa County Lines To Western Boundary Of Yosemite National Park
- Clavey River From 3n01 To Cottonwood Road
- Clavey River At Confluence Of Bell And Lily Creeks To 3n01
More reservoirs
Track Whispering Oaks in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Whispering Oaks
Where does the data for Whispering Oaks come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Whispering Oaks.