Big Creek Dam No. 6 dam
Big Creek Dam No. 6
Big Creek Dam No. 6, located in Madera, California, is a privately owned concrete dam completed in 1923 by Southern California Edison Co. This hydroelectric dam stands at a height of 155 feet and has a storage capacity of 1,726 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 993 acre-feet. The dam plays a crucial role in harnessing the power of the San Joaquin River for hydroelectric purposes, with a maximum discharge capacity of 114,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Big Creek Dam No. 6 is subject to state regulations for safety and inspection, ensuring its structural integrity and compliance with operational standards. With a spillway width of 389 feet and a drainage area of 1,195 square miles, the dam's high hazard potential is mitigated by regular inspections and emergency action plans. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam continues to provide valuable water resources and contribute to the region's climate resilience through sustainable hydropower generation.
As a key component of California's water infrastructure, Big Creek Dam No. 6 exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate mitigation efforts. With its historical significance and ongoing operational importance, this dam serves as a symbol of innovation and sustainability in the face of evolving environmental challenges. Through effective regulation and maintenance, Big Creek Dam No. 6 continues to secure water resources for the community while supporting renewable energy production and climate resilience initiatives.
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 Creek Dam No. 6 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R Bl Friant Ca | 387 cfs | → |
| Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 278 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 725 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Pohono Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Creek Dam No. 6 .
Boat launches
- Redinger Boating Site
- Mammoth Pool Rd, California
- Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site
- Florence Lake Boating Site
- Florence Lake Campground
- San Joaquin River Trail, Friant
Campgrounds
- Billy Creek - Lower
- Billy Creek, Lower Campground
- Camp Edison
- Rock Creek
- Billy Creek, Upper Campground
- Billy Creek - Upper
Fishing spots
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
- Rainbow Falls To Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River
- Cora Creek To Confluence With San Joaquin River
- Northwest Boundary Of Nf/Kings Canyon Np To Hot Springs Area
Track Big Creek Dam No. 6 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 Creek Dam No. 6
Where does the data for Big Creek Dam No. 6 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 Creek Dam No. 6 .