Kehalani Offsite Retention Basin dam
Kehalani Offsite Retention Basin
The Kehalani Offsite Retention Basin, also known as the Wailuku Project District Retention Basin, is a private-owned structure located in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii. Completed in 2003, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a length of 2300 feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a storage capacity of 490 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2076 cubic feet per second. The dam is situated on Waikapu Stream and is regulated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in Hawaii.
Despite its crucial role in mitigating flood risks, the Kehalani Offsite Retention Basin is currently assessed as having a high hazard potential with poor condition. The last inspection in May 2020 indicated the need for improvements, highlighting the importance of proactive maintenance and risk management measures. While it has undergone no modifications since completion, its emergency action plan (EAP) status, including contact information and inundation maps, is currently not up-to-date, raising concerns about its readiness in case of emergencies. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor and advocate for the proper maintenance and upkeep of this vital infrastructure to safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
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 Kehalani Offsite Retention Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iao Stream At Kepaniwai Park Nr Wailuku | 87 cfs | → |
| Waihee River At Dam Near Waihee | 55 cfs | → |
| Kahakuloa Stream Near Honokohau | 17 cfs | → |
| Honokohau Stream Near Honokohau | 28 cfs | → |
| Opana Tunnel Near Kailiili | 2 cfs | → |
| Honopou Stream Near Huelo | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kehalani Offsite Retention Basin.
Campgrounds
- Kanaha Beach Park - Maui
- Maybe Camping
- Chemin Vers La Côte
- Papalau Camping
- Camp Olowalu
- Camp Olowalu - Maui
Track Kehalani Offsite Retention 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 Kehalani Offsite Retention Basin
Where does the data for Kehalani Offsite Retention 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 Kehalani Offsite Retention Basin.