Burns Dam dam
Burns Dam
Burns Dam, located in Merced, California, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Built in 1950, the primary purpose of the dam is flood risk reduction, with secondary benefits including hydroelectric power generation. With a height of 65 feet and a capacity to store up to 21,836 acre-feet of water, Burns Dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks for the surrounding area.
The dam's high hazard potential necessitates regular inspections and risk management measures to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of downstream communities. The US Army Corps of Engineers monitors the dam's condition, prioritizes maintenance activities, and collaborates with local emergency managers to develop emergency action plans and raise public awareness about dam-related risks. With a focus on proactive risk management, Burns Dam serves as a vital component of the region's water resource infrastructure.
As climate change brings the potential for increased variability in weather patterns and water levels, the importance of Burns Dam in managing flood risks and ensuring water supply reliability will continue to grow. By implementing effective risk management strategies and maintaining the dam's functionality, the US Army Corps of Engineers is committed to safeguarding the surrounding communities and water resources for years to come.
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 Burns Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turlock Cn Nr La Grange Ca | 912 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R Bl Lagrange Dam Nr Lagrange Ca | 186 cfs | → |
| Modesto Cn Nr La Grange Ca | 834 cfs | → |
| Big C Ab Whites Gulch Nr Groveland Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Salt Slough A Hwy 165 Nr Stevinson Ca | 32 cfs | → |
| Mud Slough Nr Gustine Ca | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Burns Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Lake Mcswain Rec Area
- Mcclure Point Rec Area
- Bagby Rec Area
- Barrett Cove Rec Area
- Mariposa Fairgrounds
- Cordoniz Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Middle Fork Tuolumne River To Confluence With Tuolumne River
- Clavey River From Cottonwood Road To Confluence With Tuolumne
- Clavey River From 3n01 To Cottonwood Road
- Headwaters Near The Tuolumne And Mariposa County Lines To Western Boundary Of Yosemite National Park
- Clavey River At Confluence Of Bell And Lily Creeks To 3n01
More reservoirs
Track Burns Dam 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 Burns Dam
Where does the data for Burns Dam 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 Burns Dam.