Burns Dam

Burns Dam Quick Facts

Location: Merced, California
Coordinates: 37.376874, -120.275432
River: Burns Creek River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1950
Dam Height: 65 ft (20 m)
Dam Length: 4,070 ft (1,241 m)
Dam Capacity: 21,836 acre-ft (26,934 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Burns Dam Map

Burns Dam Information

Burns Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 4 miles from Planada, Merced, California.

The dam, which is on the Burns Creek River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Hydroelectric benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1950 and is currently owned by USACE – Sacramento District.

Burns Dam Structure

The Burns Dam is approximately 4,070 feet (1,241 m) long, 65 feet (20 m) high and has a structural volume of 0 cubic yards (0 cubic metres).

Burns Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 6,934 acre-ft (8,553 Ml) and maximum capacity of 21,836 acre-ft (26,934 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 670 acres (271 ha) and the total catchment area is 74 square miles (192 square kilometres).

Burns Dam Spillway

The dam has a 40 feet (12 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 6600 cubic feet per second (187 cubic metres per second).

Burns Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Burns Dam
Merced, California
Height (ft)
65
Length (Ft)
4,070
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
21,836
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Burns Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Burns Dam

Failed to fetch current weather data.

7-Day Forecast for Burns Dam

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Burns Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Burns Dam?

Burns Dam is in California.

In which county is the Burns Dam?

Burns Dam is in Merced County.

How high is the Burns Dam?

Burns Dam is 65 feet high.

How long is the Burns Dam?

Burns Dam is 4,070 feet long.

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More Dams in Merced County:

B. F. Sisk Dam
Burns Dam
Castle Dam
Lake Yosemite Dam
Los Banos Creek Detention Dam
O'Neill Forebay Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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