Deep Creek Dam dam
Deep Creek Dam
Deep Creek Dam, also known as V-N Ranch Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Elko, Nevada. Built in 1954 by USDA SCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 42 feet and serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with a storage capacity of 2,100 acre-feet. The dam spans 1,092 feet in length and has a controlled spillway with a width of 161 feet to manage maximum discharges of up to 1,800 cubic feet per second.
Situated on Deep Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in providing water for irrigation, fire protection, stock, and small fish ponds in the region. With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in June 2018, Deep Creek Dam remains a vital infrastructure for water resource management in the area. Although it is not under federal jurisdiction, the Nevada DWR regulates, inspects, and enforces compliance with state laws to ensure the dam's safe operation and maintenance.
Despite its age, Deep Creek Dam continues to meet the water needs of the community while minimizing the risk of potential hazards. With a very high risk assessment rating, stakeholders must continue to monitor and implement effective risk management measures to safeguard the dam's integrity and the surrounding environment. As a key component of water resource management in the region, Deep Creek Dam underscores the importance of sustainable infrastructure for climate resilience and water security.
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 Deep Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Owyhee R Nr Mountain City | 124 cfs | → |
| Owyhee R Nr Gold Creek | 112 cfs | → |
| Bruneau River At Rowland Nv | 33 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek Near Dunphy | · | → |
| Jarbidge River Below Jarbidge | 36 cfs | → |
| N F Humboldt R At Devils Gate Nr Halleck | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deep Creek Dam.
Track Deep Creek 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 Deep Creek Dam
Where does the data for Deep Creek 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 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 Deep Creek Dam.