Buckhorn dam
Buckhorn
Buckhorn is a federally-owned dam located in Trinity, California, along Grass Valley Creek. Completed in 1991 by the Bureau of Reclamation, this earth dam stands at a height of 84 feet and has a storage capacity of 1460 acre-feet. With a surface area of 50 acres and a drainage area of 9 square miles, Buckhorn plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
The dam's primary purpose and associated structures are not specified, but its high hazard potential and very high risk assessment indicate the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring. Despite its critical role in water storage and control, the condition assessment of Buckhorn is currently listed as not available, highlighting the need for regular inspections and risk management measures. With the potential for significant downstream impacts in the event of failure, Buckhorn serves as a reminder of the importance of resilient infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, Buckhorn's construction, regulation, inspection, and operation are all overseen by this federal agency. With a controlled spillway type and a history of high-risk assessment, Buckhorn stands as a testament to the intricate balance of water resource management and climate adaptation in California. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding Buckhorn's role in the broader context of dam infrastructure and risk management is crucial for ensuring the resilience of our water systems in the face of a changing climate.
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 Buckhorn -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grass Valley C Nr Lewiston Ca | 18 cfs | → |
| Trinity R A Lewiston Ca | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Rush C Nr Lewiston Ca | 19 cfs | → |
| Indian C Nr Douglas City Ca | 29 cfs | → |
| Trinity R Bl Limekiln Gulch Nr Douglas City Ca | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Trinity R A Douglas City Ca | 1,220 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buckhorn.
⚓ Boat launches
- Bucktail Hole
- Rush Creek Road 7542, Trinity County
- Trinity Dam Boulevard Trinity County
- Dump Hole
- Last Chance Trinity River Access
- Fairview Marina Drive, Lewiston
⛺ Campgrounds
- Boulder Creek Backcounty Camp
- Mary Smith Campground
- Mary Smith
- Cooper Gulch Campground
- Cooper Gulch
- Sheep Creek Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- North Fork Cottonwood Creek
- Clear Creek
- Middle Fork Cottonwood Creek
- Beegum Creek
- Canyon Creek Trailhead To Confluence With Mainstream Trinity River
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Buckhorn 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 Buckhorn
Where does the data for Buckhorn 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 Buckhorn.