Big Creek Dam No. 3 dam
Big Creek Dam No. 3
Big Creek Dam No. 3, also known as Huntington Lake No. 3, is a captivating structure nestled in the scenic city of Big Creek, California. Completed in 1913, this private dam stands at an impressive height of 165 feet and boasts a multi-arch concrete design, making it a significant landmark in the region. With a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, the dam also serves as a recreational area, offering visitors a chance to marvel at its grandeur while enjoying the surrounding natural beauty.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Big Creek Dam No. 3 holds a maximum storage capacity of 89,800 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1,435 acres. It is situated on the Big Creek river and has a drainage area of 80.5 square miles. Despite its age, the dam remains a vital component of the region's water resource infrastructure, providing essential services while posing a high hazard potential due to its condition assessment being unavailable.
While the dam's last inspection was conducted in September 2020, its Emergency Action Plan (EAP) has yet to be prepared, raising concerns about its readiness in the face of potential risks. With a risk assessment rating of high (2) and a hazard potential also categorized as high, there is a pressing need for proactive risk management measures to ensure the safety and security of the surrounding communities in the event of an emergency. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Big Creek Dam No. 3 to be a fascinating subject of study, showcasing the delicate balance between harnessing nature's power for human needs and safeguarding against potential risks and hazards.
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. 3 -- 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 | → |
| Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 278 cfs | → |
| San Joaquin R Bl Friant Ca | 387 cfs | → |
| Hot C A Flume Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 64 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 725 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Creek Dam No. 3 .
Boat launches
- Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site
- Mammoth Pool Rd, California
- Redinger Boating Site
- Florence Lake Boating Site
- Florence Lake Campground
- Lake Edison Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Billy Creek - Lower
- Billy Creek, Lower Campground
- Billy Creek, Upper Campground
- Billy Creek - Upper
- Camp Kern Bsa
- Camp Oljato
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
- Northwest Boundary Of Nf/Kings Canyon Np To Hot Springs Area
- Rainbow Falls To Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River
- Cora Creek To Confluence With San Joaquin River
Track Big Creek Dam No. 3 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. 3
Where does the data for Big Creek Dam No. 3 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. 3 .