Gooseberry Tails Dam dam
Gooseberry Tails Dam
Gooseberry Tails Dam, located in Wadsworth, Nevada, is a private dam constructed in 1984 for the primary purpose of tailings storage. The dam stands at a height of 67 feet with a hydraulic height of 62 feet and a structural height of 70 feet. It is an earth dam with a stone core and sits on a rock foundation along the Truckee River. The dam has a storage capacity of 195 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3.6 acres, serving a drainage area of 0.8 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, the condition assessment of Gooseberry Tails Dam is listed as unsatisfactory, with the last inspection conducted in June 2021. The dam lacks a spillway and features one controlled outlet gate. The risk assessment for the dam indicates a high risk level (2), prompting the need for risk management measures to be implemented. The dam is regulated by the Nevada Division of Water Resources and undergoes state permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes.
With its unique design and purpose, Gooseberry Tails Dam presents an intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's location in Storey County, Nevada, and its association with the Truckee River further underscore its significance in the region's water management infrastructure. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and maintenance of this structure, its role in supporting local ecosystems and water resources remains a topic of interest for those invested in sustainable water management practices.
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 Gooseberry Tails Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Truckee River Nr Tracy | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Truckee R Bl Derby Dam Nr Wadsworth | 736 cfs | → |
| Truckee Ca Nr Wadsworth | 381 cfs | → |
| Truckee R At Vista | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Steamboat C At Cleanwater Way Nr Reno | 53 cfs | → |
| N Truckee Drain At Kleppe Ln Nr Sparks | 108 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gooseberry Tails Dam.
Boat launches
- Lockwood Road Washoe County
- Churchill County
- Washoe County
- Golf Course Outer Trail Carson City
- Lakeshore Boulevard , 89452 Nevada
Campgrounds
- Lahontan Reservoir State Rec Area 1
- Silver Springs Beach - Lahotan State Park
- Fort Churchill State Park
- Dayton State Park
- Lahontan Reservoir State Rec Area 2
- Washoe Lake State Rec Area
Fishing spots
Track Gooseberry Tails 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 Gooseberry Tails Dam
Where does the data for Gooseberry Tails 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 Gooseberry Tails Dam.