Wilson Debris Basin dam
Wilson Debris Basin
Wilson Debris Basin, located in Los Angeles, California, was completed in 1961 and serves as a crucial structure for debris control and flood risk reduction along Wilson Canyon. Owned by the local government, this earth dam stands at a height of 50 feet with a hydraulic height of 33 feet, providing a storage capacity of 84 acre-feet. With a hazardous potential rated as high, the dam's condition was last assessed as satisfactory in September 2017, indicating its reliability in managing potential risks associated with heavy debris and flooding events.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources, Wilson Debris Basin is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its operational effectiveness and structural integrity. The dam's location in a densely populated area underscores its importance in protecting downstream communities from the impacts of debris flows and flooding. With a drainage area of 2.6 square miles and a surface area of 5 acres, the basin plays a critical role in mitigating the potential hazards posed by debris-laden runoff during heavy rainfall events.
The structural design, storage capacity, and historical significance of Wilson Debris Basin make it a vital component of the local flood control system in Los Angeles. As climate change continues to influence precipitation patterns and extreme weather events, the maintenance and upkeep of this debris control structure are essential for safeguarding both property and lives in the surrounding area. The dam's strategic location and purposeful design highlight its role as a key asset in water resource management and climate resilience efforts within the region.
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 Wilson Debris Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Tujunga C Bl Hansen Dam Ca | · | → |
| Los Angeles R A Sepulveda Dam Ca | 78 cfs | → |
| Arroyo Seco Nr Pasadena Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Santa Clara R Nr Piru Ca | 71 cfs | → |
| Piru Creek Below Santa Felicia Dam Ca | 36 cfs | → |
| Piru Creek Above Lake Piru Ca | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson Debris Basin.
Boat launches
- Lake Hughes Road Castaic
- Piru Canyon Road 4780, Castaic
- Interstate 5, Lebec
- Vacquero Boating And Picnic Site
- Vista Del Lago Road 21, Lebec
- Pyramid Lake Road, Lebec
Campgrounds
- Group Campground 6
- Group Campground 5
- Group Campground 4
- Group Campground 3
- Group Campground 2
- Group Campground 1
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Site Of St Francis Dam Disaster To Seco Canyon At The Nf Boundary
- Green Valley At The Nf Boundary To Site Of St Francis Dam Disaster
- West Fork - Headwaters (Se 1/4, Ne 1/4, Sec 14, T2n, R12w) To Cogswell Reservoir (Ne 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 24, T2n, R9w
- Lower Piru Creek (Oulet At Pyramid Reservoir) To Piru Reservoir
- Mainstream - Confluence With South Fork Little Rock Creek To Little Rock Creek Reservoir
- Gaging Station Below Spillway Of Cogswell Dam (Ne 1/4, Se 1/4, Sec 19, T2n, R10w) To Confluence With Nf San Gabriel River (Sw 1/4.Sw 1/4, Sec 15, T2n, R9w)
Track Wilson Debris Basin 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 Wilson Debris Basin
Where does the data for Wilson Debris Basin 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 Wilson Debris Basin.