Stough Debris Basin dam
Stough Debris Basin
Stough Debris Basin, located in Burbank, California, along the Stough Canyon stream, serves as a crucial infrastructure for debris control and flood risk reduction in the region. Owned and regulated by the local government, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 46 feet and has a hydraulic height of 33.5 feet. Completed in 1961, the dam has a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3 acres, with a drainage area of 1.7 square miles.
With a hazard potential classified as high, Stough Debris Basin undergoes regular inspections, with the latest assessment in 2017 deeming its condition as satisfactory. The dam plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential debris flows and flooding events. Serving as a testament to effective infrastructure management, the Stough Debris Basin stands as a vital component of the local community's resilience against water-related hazards.
Ensuring the safety and functionality of Stough Debris Basin is paramount, as it not only protects the residents of Burbank but also contributes to the overall water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. With a focus on debris control and flood risk reduction, this essential structure continues to play a crucial role in mitigating the potential impacts of natural disasters and safeguarding the community's well-being.
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 Stough Debris Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Tujunga C Bl Hansen Dam Ca | · | → |
| Arroyo Seco Nr Pasadena Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Los Angeles R A Sepulveda Dam Ca | 78 cfs | → |
| Rio Hondo Ab Whittier Narrows Dam Ca | 65 cfs | → |
| Rio Hondo Bl Whittier Narrows Dam Ca | 11 cfs | → |
| San Gabriel R Ab Whittier Narrows Dam Ca | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stough Debris Basin.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 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
- 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)
- Cooper Canyon- Near State Highway 2 (Sw 1/4, Ne 1/4, Sec 16, T3n, R10w To Confluence With Little Rock Creek
- Mainstream - Confluence With South Fork Little Rock Creek To Little Rock Creek Reservoir
- Mainstream - Confluence With Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek
- Site Of St Francis Dam Disaster To Seco Canyon At The Nf Boundary
Track Stough 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 Stough Debris Basin
Where does the data for Stough 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 Stough Debris Basin.