Lower Stoney Valley dam
Lower Stoney Valley
Lower Stoney Valley, also known as Lower Stoney Valley Reservoir, is a federal-owned structure located in Monterey, California, near the city of Bradley. This Earth dam, completed in 1972 by the US Army, serves primarily as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, with additional purposes including Fire Protection, Stock, and Recreation. The reservoir has a dam height of 33 feet and a hydraulic height of 25 feet, with a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet and a surface area of 13 acres.
Managed by the US Army, Lower Stoney Valley has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 28 feet, and has a maximum discharge capacity of 810 cubic feet per second. While the condition assessment is currently unavailable, inspections are conducted every 4 years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. Although not regulated by the state, this reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting local wildlife and providing recreational opportunities for the community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lower Stoney Valley offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of environmental conservation and recreational development. With its scenic location along Stoney Creek and its essential role in supporting fish and wildlife habitats, this reservoir serves as a valuable asset for both the ecosystem and the local community. As efforts continue to maintain and monitor the safety of the dam, Lower Stoney Valley stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in ensuring a harmonious balance between human activities and natural ecosystems.
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 Lower Stoney Valley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio R Nr Lockwood Ca | · | → |
| Nacimiento R Bl Sapaque C Nr Bryson Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Arroyo Seco Nr Soledad Ca | 24 cfs | → |
| Salinas R Nr Bradley Ca | 367 cfs | → |
| San Lorenzo C Bl Bitterwater C Nr King City Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Nacimiento R Bl Nacimiento Dam Nr Bradley Ca | 264 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Stoney Valley.
Boat launches
- New Pleyto Road, Bradley
- West Knoll Circle 10555, San Luis Obispo County
- Boat Launch San Luis Obispo County
- Well Road San Luis Obispo County
- Lynch Road, Bradley
- Mistletoe Lane San Luis Obispo County
Campgrounds
- Fort Hunter Liggett Primitive Military
- Bane Spring Camp
- Basket Spring Camp
- Miguel Campground
- Nacimiento
- Lion Den Camp
Fishing spots
- Lake San Antonio
- Lake Nacimiento
- Nacimiento Lake
- Whale Rock Reservoir
- Barney Schwartz Park Lake
- Franklin Hot Springs
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sportsman's Club
- Ventana Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- 0.25 Milesupstram Of The Impoundment At Sportsman's Lodge To 0.25 Miles Downstream Of The Impoundment At Sportsman's Lodge
- 0.25 Miles Downstream Of The Impoundment Of Sportsman's Lodge To Ventana Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters North Fork Little Sur To Boy Scout Camp
- San Benito River
More reservoirs
Track Lower Stoney Valley 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 Lower Stoney Valley
Where does the data for Lower Stoney Valley 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 Lower Stoney Valley.