Brush Creek dam
Brush Creek
Brush Creek is a vital water resource in El Dorado County, California, known for its hydroelectric capabilities and recreational opportunities. Managed by a public utility, the dam was designed by Bechtel and completed in 1970, standing at a impressive height of 213 feet with a storage capacity of 1350 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation, serving as a key component in the region's energy infrastructure.
Located in Coloma, the Brush Creek dam is regulated by various state and federal agencies including the California Department of Water Resources and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment score, the dam undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and stability. Despite its age, the dam continues to play a crucial role in managing water resources in the area, providing both power and recreational opportunities for the community.
With a drainage area of 8 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 13,250 cubic feet per second, Brush Creek dam is a key feature in the region's water management system. The dam's uncontrolled spillway type and significant hazard potential highlight the importance of maintaining its structural integrity and emergency preparedness. As climate change continues to impact water resources, Brush Creek serves as a reminder of the essential role dams play in mitigating risks and providing sustainable water solutions for the future.
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 Brush Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Bl Mutton Canyon Nr Georgetown Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Nf American R A North Fork Dam Ca | 773 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Cameron Park Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Cosumnes R A Michigan Bar Ca | 358 cfs | → |
| General C Nr Meeks Bay Ca | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brush Creek .
Boat launches
- Poho Ridge El Dorado County
- Forebay Road El Dorado County
- Sly Park Road, Pollock Pines
- Junction Boat Ramp Road El Dorado County
- Rock Creek Road El Dorado County
- Oxbow Raft Put-In Site
Campgrounds
- Stumpy Meadows
- Ponderosa Cove
- Stumpy Meadows Campground
- Black Oak Campground
- Black Oak Group Campground
- Ponderosa Cove Group Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Big Grizzly Canyon To Oxbow Reservoir
- Cosumnes Mine Road To Confluence With Steely Fork Cosumnes River
- South Fork American River
- Chili Bar
- Ellicots Bridge To Big Grizzly Canyon
- Confluence With Van Horn Creek To Cosumnes Mine Road
More reservoirs
Track Brush 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 Brush Creek
Where does the data for Brush 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 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 Brush Creek .