Kahana Nui Dam dam
Kahana Nui Dam
Located in Maui, Hawaii, Kahana Nui Dam, also known as Structure#5, was completed in 1984 by the USDA NRCS with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Kahana Stream. This earth dam stands at a height of 49 feet with a hydraulic height of 50 feet and a structural height of 58 feet. It has a length of 500 feet and provides a storage capacity of 225 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 59 acre-feet over a surface area of 5.6 acres.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the DLNR, Kahana Nui Dam is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 25,884 cubic feet per second through an uncontrolled spillway. However, with a hazard potential rated as high and a poor condition assessment, the dam is in need of maintenance and improvement to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood risk reduction. The last inspection in December 2018 revealed the dam's deficiencies, prompting a risk assessment indicating moderate risk.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kahana Nui Dam presents an important case study in the management and maintenance of critical infrastructure for flood protection in Hawaii. As efforts continue to address the dam's poor condition and high hazard potential, stakeholders must prioritize necessary repairs and improvements to mitigate risks and uphold public safety. With its strategic location in Kahana and significant impact on the surrounding area, the dam serves as a reminder of the crucial role of infrastructure in safeguarding communities against natural disasters and climate-related challenges.
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 Kahana Nui Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Honokohau Stream Near Honokohau | 28 cfs | → |
| Kahakuloa Stream Near Honokohau | 17 cfs | → |
| Waihee River At Dam Near Waihee | 55 cfs | → |
| Iao Stream At Kepaniwai Park Nr Wailuku | 87 cfs | → |
| Halawa Stream Near Halawa | 15 cfs | → |
| Kaunakakai Gulch At Altitude 75 Feet | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kahana Nui Dam.
Campgrounds
- Camp Olowalu - Maui
- Camp Olowalu
- Papalau Camping
- Kanaha Beach Park - Maui
- Maybe Camping
- Chemin Vers La Côte
Track Kahana Nui Dam 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 Kahana Nui Dam
Where does the data for Kahana Nui Dam 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 Kahana Nui Dam.