Isabella Dam (Lake Isabella)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Isabella Dam
Other Name: ISABELLA LAKE
NID ID: CA10106
Longitude: -118.47333
Latitude: 35.605
County: KERN
River: KERN RIVER
State: CA
Nearest City: BODFISH
Distance: 1.00 miles
Owner Name: CESPK
Owner Type: Federal
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Core: Earth (Type)
Purposes: Flood Control
Year Completed: 1953
Dam Length: 1695 feet
Dam Height: 98 feet
Structural Height: 185 feet
Hydraulic Height: 173 feet
Maximum Discharge: 53000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 568000 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 568000 acre-feet
Surface Area: 11200 acres
Drainage Area: 2074 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2010-12-16
Inspection Frequency: 5
State Regulated Dam? No
State Regulating Agency: N/A
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 140 feet
Federal Funding Agency: ISABELLA LAKE
Federal Design Agency:
Federal Construction Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Regulatory Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Inspection Agency: CE
Federal Operating Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Owner (Agency): Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Other Federal Agencies: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Source Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:






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