Haines Canyon Debris Dam dam
Haines Canyon Debris Dam
The Haines Canyon Debris Dam, also known as the Haines Canyon Reservoir, is a critical infrastructure owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers in Glendale, California. Completed in 1938, this earth dam stands at a height of 70 feet and serves the primary purpose of debris control and flood risk reduction along the Haines Creek. With a maximum storage capacity of 15 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting the downstream communities of Sunland-Tujunga and Glendale from potential inundation.
A recent risk assessment conducted by USACE in 2009 identified the Haines Canyon Debris Dam as having a moderate risk due to potential internal erosion issues. The dam poses a hazard with high potential consequences for over 16,600 residents and an estimated $190 million in economic impact in case of failure. To mitigate these risks, USACE has implemented various risk management measures, including conducting regular inspections, monitoring dam health, and collaborating with local emergency managers to develop and update emergency action plans. Community engagement efforts and ongoing maintenance work are also part of the proactive approach to ensure the dam's safety and functionality.
Overall, the Haines Canyon Debris Dam serves as a vital protective structure in the region, and the US Army Corps of Engineers is committed to implementing measures to reduce risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities. Through ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and communication efforts, USACE aims to safeguard the dam and minimize the potential impacts of flood events on the downstream areas.
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 Haines Canyon Debris Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arroyo Seco Nr Pasadena Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Big Tujunga C Bl Hansen Dam Ca | · | → |
| 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 Bl Santa Fe Dam Nr Baldwin Pk Ca | 151 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Haines Canyon Debris Dam.
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)
- Mainstream - Confluence With South Fork Little Rock Creek To Little Rock Creek Reservoir
- 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 Cooper Canyon To Confluence Wit South Fork Little Rock Creek
- Site Of St Francis Dam Disaster To Seco Canyon At The Nf Boundary
Track Haines Canyon Debris 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 Haines Canyon Debris Dam
Where does the data for Haines Canyon Debris 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 Haines Canyon Debris Dam.