Loon Lake Main dam
Loon Lake Main
Loon Lake Main in California is a captivating destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. This hydroelectric facility, completed in 1963, boasts a rockfill dam standing at 100 feet tall and holding a maximum storage capacity of 69,309 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric generation, with recreational opportunities also available on the 1,450-acre surface area of the lake.
Located in El Dorado County, Loon Lake Main is regulated by state agencies for permitting, inspection, and enforcement, ensuring the safety and compliance of the dam structure. Managed by a public utility, this facility on Gerle Creek is designed by Bechtel and falls under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Water Resources. With a significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, emergency action plans are in place to address any potential threats to the surrounding area.
The dam's operations are overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, with a spillway type of uncontrolled and a maximum discharge capacity of 15,300 cubic feet per second. Despite its remote location, Loon Lake Main offers a unique blend of hydroelectric power generation, outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship that make it a fascinating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
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 Loon Lake Main -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwood C Nr Tahoe City Ca | 87 cfs | → |
| General C Nr Meeks Bay Ca | 16 cfs | → |
| Ward C At Hwy 89 Nr Tahoe Pines Ca | 53 cfs | → |
| Truckee R A Tahoe City Ca | 352 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Up Truckee R A South Lake Tahoe Ca | 213 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Loon Lake Main .
⚓ Boat launches
- Ice House Road El Dorado County
- Dry Lakes Trail El Dorado County
- Mosquito Ridge Rd, California
- Junction Boat Ramp Road El Dorado County
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Poho Ridge El Dorado County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Northshore
- Red Fir Group Campground
- Northshore Campground
- Wentworth Springs
- Wentworth Springs Campground
- Pleasant Dispersed
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Loon Lake Main 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 Loon Lake Main
Where does the data for Loon Lake Main 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 Loon Lake Main .