Rio Bravo Canal dam
Rio Bravo Canal
The Rio Bravo Canal in Kern, California, is a public utility infrastructure managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for hydroelectric purposes. Completed in 1988, this canal serves as a vital water resource in the region, with a storage capacity of 1 acre-foot and a significant hazard potential. Despite its importance, the condition assessment for the canal is currently not available, highlighting the need for regular maintenance and inspection to ensure its safety and efficiency.
Located in the Sacramento District under federal jurisdiction, the Rio Bravo Canal plays a crucial role in water management and energy production in California. With its primary purpose being hydroelectric, the canal's operation and maintenance are overseen by federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The canal's design and construction are also regulated by federal authorities, ensuring compliance with safety standards and environmental regulations.
As a key component of the region's water infrastructure, the Rio Bravo Canal requires ongoing monitoring and assessment to mitigate potential risks and ensure its long-term viability. With a designated emergency action plan and regular inspections, the canal can continue to support water supply and energy generation in Kern County while minimizing the impact of hazards on surrounding communities. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the importance of this infrastructure in promoting sustainable development and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Rio Bravo Canal -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deer C Nr Fountain Springs Ca | 16 cfs | → |
| Sf Tule R Nr Reservation Bndry Nr Porterville Ca | 27 cfs | → |
| Sf Kern R Nr Onyx Ca | 100 cfs | → |
| Sf Tule R Nr Cholollo Campground Nr Porterville Ca | 16 cfs | → |
| Piru C Ab Frenchmans Flat Ca | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rio Bravo Canal .
Boat launches
- Lake Ming Road 13375, Bakersfield
- Democrat Raft Take-Out Boating Site
- Delonegha River Access Boating Site
- Kern Canyon Road Bodfish
- Miracle Hot Springs Picnic Site
- Sandy Flat Put-In/Take-Out Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Kern River Camp Ground. Bakersfield
- Camp Okihi. Bakersfield
- Kern River Park
- Oak Flat Lookout/Cabin
- Breckenridge
- Breckenridge Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 20.2 Miles Downstream Of Isabella Dam To Western Nf Boundary
- 7 Miles From Isabella Dam To 20.2 Miles From Isabella Dam
- Sandy Flat Camp To Democrat Picnic Area
- Isabella Lake Dam To 7 Miles Downstream
- Southern Boundary Of Wsr To Nf Boundary
- Camp Wishon To Confluence With Middle Fork Tule River
Track Rio Bravo Canal 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 Rio Bravo Canal
Where does the data for Rio Bravo Canal 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 Significant 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 Rio Bravo Canal .