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Lake Fordyce Dam Quick Facts

Location: Nevada, California
Coordinates: 39.3802, -120.4966
River: Fordyce Creek River
Primary Purpose: Hydroelectric
Type: Rockfill
Commissioned: 1873
Dam Height: 145 ft (44 m)
Dam Length: 1,220 ft (372 m)
Dam Capacity: 49,903 acre-ft (61,554 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Lake Fordyce Dam Map

Lake Fordyce Dam Information

Lake Fordyce Dam is a rockfill dam located about 23 miles from Washington, Nevada, California.

The dam, which is on the Fordyce Creek River, was primarily built for Hydroelectric purposes, but also serves for benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1873 and is currently owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Lake Fordyce Dam Structure

The Lake Fordyce Dam is approximately 1,220 feet (372 m) long, 145 feet (44 m) high and has a structural volume of 425,000 cubic yards (324,936 cubic metres).

Lake Fordyce Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 46,700 acre-ft (57,604 Ml) and maximum capacity of 49,903 acre-ft (61,554 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 772 acres (312 ha) and the total catchment area is 32 square miles (82 square kilometres).

Lake Fordyce Dam Spillway

The dam has a 148 feet (45 m) wide controlled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 17500 cubic feet per second (496 cubic metres per second).

Lake Fordyce Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Lake Fordyce Dam
Nevada, California
Height (ft)
145
Length (Ft)
1,220
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
49,903
Drainage Area (sq miles)
32
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Lake Fordyce Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Lake Fordyce Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 21:15
Sunrise 07:05
Sunset 16:38
Temperature (°F) 32
Feels Like (°F) 26
Cloud Coverage (%) 10
Pressure (inHg) 1027
Humidity (%) 72
Wind Speed (mph) 7
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Lake Fordyce Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 28 50 46 1021 45 7 8 ENE 0 - clear sky
Wed 30 53 47 1023 40 7 8 E 0 - clear sky
Thu 31 49 48 1022 38 8 9 ENE 0 - overcast clouds
Fri 29 49 43 1022 34 8 12 ENE 0 - clear sky
Sat 31 50 50 1021 22 8 8 ENE 0 - broken clouds
Sun 23 44 41 1018 28 15 41 ENE 0 - clear sky
Mon 20 35 20 1026 24 13 38 NE 0 - clear sky
Tue 19 44 29 1031 15 12 28 ENE 0 - clear sky

Lake Fordyce Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Lake Fordyce Dam?

Lake Fordyce Dam is in California.

In which county is the Lake Fordyce Dam?

Lake Fordyce Dam is in Nevada County.

How high is the Lake Fordyce Dam?

Lake Fordyce Dam is 145 feet high.

How long is the Lake Fordyce Dam?

Lake Fordyce Dam is 1,220 feet long.

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More Dams in Nevada County:

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French Lake Dam
Jackson Meadows Dam
Lake Combie Dam
Lake Fordyce Dam
Lake Spaulding No. 1 Dam
Martis Creek Dam
Meadow Lake Dam
Prosser Creek Dam
Rollins Dam
Scotts Flat Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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