Amethyst Basin dam
Amethyst Basin
Amethyst Basin in Victorville, California, is a locally owned dam that serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Completed in 2019, this earth dam stands at a height of 46 feet and has a storage capacity of 347.7 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 6.96 square miles and a maximum discharge of 7,472 cubic feet per second, Amethyst Basin plays a crucial role in managing the ephemeral river or stream that passes through the area.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment, Amethyst Basin poses a high hazard potential due to its location and purpose. The dam is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in February 2021, highlighting the importance of preparedness and risk management measures in the face of potential hazards.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure and environmental conservation would find Amethyst Basin to be a fascinating case study. As a key component in flood risk reduction efforts in the region, this dam represents the intricate balance between human development and natural resource management. Its construction and operation showcase the ongoing efforts to safeguard communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events and changing climate 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 Amethyst Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mojave R A Lo Narrows Nr Victorville Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Wf Mojave R Ab Mojave R Forks Res Nr Hesperia Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| Deep C Nr Hesperia Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Lone Pine C Nr Keenbrook Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Cajon C Bl Lone Pine C Nr Keenbrook Ca | 14 cfs | → |
| Devil Cyn C Nr San Bernardino Ca | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Amethyst Basin.
Campgrounds
- Mojave Narrows Regional Park
- Hesperia Lake Park
- Adelanto City Park
- Mojave River Forks Regional Park
- Valle
- Rio
Fishing spots
- Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake
- Silverwood Lake
- Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
- Lake Gregory County Regional Park
- Lake Gregory
- Glen Helen Lakes
Paddle runs
- Below 2w01 Crossing To Mojave Reservoir
- Middle Fork - Commanche Campsite To Middle Fork Trailhead
- Nfsr 3n16 To Confluence With Deep Creek
- Below Deep Creek Lake To Below 2w01 Crossing
- East Fork - Confluence Of Vincent Gulch And Prairie Fork (Nw 1/4, Sw 1/4 Sec 16 ) To Laurel Gulch (Nw 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- Laurel Gulch To Confluence With Mineo Canyon (Se 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
Track Amethyst Basin 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 Amethyst Basin
Where does the data for Amethyst Basin 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 High 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 Amethyst Basin.