Sierra Springs Dam dam
Sierra Springs Dam
Sierra Springs Dam, located in Minden, Nevada, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built on the Carson River-OS, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 5 feet and has a hydraulic height of 4 feet, with a length of 4880 feet. With a storage capacity of 12 acre-feet, it covers a surface area of 8.5 acres and has a maximum discharge rate of 25 cubic feet per second.
Despite its fair condition assessment and significant hazard potential, Sierra Springs Dam is regulated by the Nevada Department of Water Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols in place. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and two slide (sluice gate) outlet gates. Last inspected in September 2021, the dam has an inspection frequency of 3 years and a moderate risk assessment rating.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sierra Springs Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam safety and management. Its location in the picturesque Douglas County, Nevada, along with its recreational purpose, highlights the importance of balancing water resource utilization with environmental conservation. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and integrity of this vital infrastructure, stakeholders can appreciate the complexities involved in managing water resources in a sustainable and responsible manner.
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 Sierra Springs Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Creek Near Carson City | 3 cfs | → |
| Carson River Near Carson City | 708 cfs | → |
| Kings Canyon Creek Near Carson City | 1 cfs | → |
| Daggett Creek Near Genoa | 2 cfs | → |
| Eagle Valley Creek At Carson City | 4 cfs | → |
| Logan House Ck Nr Glenbrook | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sierra Springs Dam.
Boat launches
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Golf Course Outer Trail Carson City
- Washoe County
- Lakeshore Boulevard , 89452 Nevada
- Indian Creek Camp Ground Day Use Area
- Summit Lake Trail Alpine County
Campgrounds
- Zephyr Cove Resort
- Rv Park And Campground
- Nevada Beach Campground And Day Use Pavilion
- Nevada Beach Campground
- Nevada Beach
- Marlette Peak Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Tahoe City To River Ranch
- Headwaters In Sec 7, T11n, R18e To Blair Bridge
- Headwaters To South Of Upper Truckee Road (Sec Line Between 17/20 Intercepts River And Unnamed Tributary)
- 1/4 Mile North Of State Highway 50 To Avalanche Lake
- Headwaters To Trailhead
- State Highway 50 To 1/4 Mile North Of State Highway 50
Track Sierra Springs 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 Sierra Springs Dam
Where does the data for Sierra Springs 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 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 Sierra Springs Dam.