Big Dry Creek dam
Big Dry Creek
Big Dry Creek, located in Clovis, California, is a crucial flood risk reduction structure with a primary purpose of managing water flow from Big Dry Creek and Dog Creek. Completed in 1948, this earth dam stands at a height of 50 feet and has a hydraulic height of 40.5 feet, providing storage of up to 30,200 acre-feet of water. With a drainage area of 82 square miles and a surface area of 2151 acres, Big Dry Creek plays a significant role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and regulated by the Safety of Dams program, Big Dry Creek is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. The dam has a high hazard potential, but its condition was assessed as satisfactory as of September 2017. In the event of an emergency, the dam is equipped with an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to guide response efforts and protect downstream communities. With its critical role in flood risk reduction and water management, Big Dry Creek serves as a vital resource for the region.
As part of the Sacramento District and overseen by federal agencies, Big Dry Creek is a key component in the water resource infrastructure of Fresno County. Its strategic location and design contribute to the overall flood protection measures in the area, safeguarding residents and property from potential inundation. With a rich history dating back to its completion in the mid-20th century, Big Dry Creek continues to be a cornerstone in the region's water management efforts, demonstrating the importance of proactive infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate variability and extreme weather events.
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 Big Dry Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin R Bl Friant Ca | 452 cfs | → |
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R Nr Mendota Ca | 149 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Cantua C Nr Cantua Creek Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Dry Creek.
Boat launches
- San Joaquin River Trail, Friant
- North Piedra Road 3140, Sanger
- Sunnyslope Road 30796, Sanger
- Madera County
- Redinger Boating Site
- Road 29 Madera County
Campgrounds
- Dumma Strand Loop Camp Ground (73-84)
- Millerton Lake State Rec Area
- Choinumni
- Choinumni Park (County)
- Pine Flat Rec Area
- Island Park Group Site
Fishing spots
- Millerton Lake
- Avocado Lake
- Kings River, Below Pine Flat Reservoir
- Hensley Lake
- Pine Flat Lake
- Manzanita Lake
Paddle runs
- Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre
- Blarney Meadows To South End Of Florence Lake
- Hot Springs Area To West End Of Blarney River
- Northwest Boundary Of Nf/Kings Canyon Np To Hot Springs Area
- Cora Creek To Confluence With San Joaquin River
- Rainbow Falls To Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River
Track Big Dry Creek 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 Big Dry Creek
Where does the data for Big Dry Creek 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 High 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 Big Dry Creek.