B. F. Sisk Dike dam
B. F. Sisk Dike
B. F. Sisk Dike, also known as the San Luis Dike, is a federal-owned structure located in Los Banos, California. Completed in 1967, this earth dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and recreation. With a height of 30 feet and a length of 300 feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, B. F. Sisk Dike has a high hazard potential and is classified as a high-risk structure. Despite its importance, the condition assessment of the dam is currently not available. The dam has a storage capacity of over 2 million acre-feet and is associated with the San Luis Creek, providing vital water resources for the region.
The B. F. Sisk Dike is a key component of the water infrastructure in Merced County, California, providing essential water storage and management capabilities. With its primary purpose being hydroelectric power generation, the dam is instrumental in meeting the water needs of the area while also serving recreational and irrigation purposes. As a federally-owned structure, the B. F. Sisk Dike plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in 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 B. F. Sisk Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Orestimba C Nr Newman Ca | · | → |
| Mud Slough Nr Gustine Ca | 53 cfs | → |
| Pacheco C Nr Dunneville Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Salt Slough A Hwy 165 Nr Stevinson Ca | 38 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R A Fremont Ford Bridge Ca | 349 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R Ab Merced R Nr Newman Ca | 375 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near B. F. Sisk Dike.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- San Luis Creek - San Luis Reservoir
- Basalt State Rec Area - San Luis Reservoir
- Medeiros State Rec Area - San Luis Reservoir
- Los Banos Creek - San Luis Reservoir
- Wilson Camp
- Coit Lake Horse Camp
Fishing spots
- San Luis Reservoir
- Oneill Forebay
- O&Acute;Neill Forebay
- Los Banos Reservoir
- Coyote Lake
- San Justo Reservoir
Track B. F. Sisk Dike 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 B. F. Sisk Dike
Where does the data for B. F. Sisk Dike 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 B. F. Sisk Dike.