New Melones Dam

New Melones Dam Quick Facts

Location: Calaveras, California
Coordinates: 37.9491, -120.524
River: Stanislaus River
Primary Purpose: Hydroelectric
Type: Rockfill Earth
Commissioned: 1979
Dam Height: 578 ft (176 m)
Dam Length: 1,560 ft (475 m)
Dam Capacity: 2,870,000 acre-ft (3,540,088 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
Share New Melones Dam:

New Melones Dam Map

New Melones Dam Information

New Melones Dam is a rockfill earth dam located in Calaveras County, California.

The dam, which is on the Stanislaus River, was primarily built for Hydroelectric purposes, but also serves for Irrigation, Recreation and Water Supply benefits.

The dam was designed by US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS and commissioned in 1979 and is currently owned by US Bureau of Reclamation.

New Melones Dam Structure

The New Melones Dam is approximately 1,560 feet (475 m) long, 578 feet (176 m) high and has a structural volume of 15,867,801 cubic yards (12,131,807 cubic metres).

New Melones Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 2,720,000 acre-ft (3,355,066 Ml) and maximum capacity of 2,870,000 acre-ft (3,540,088 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 13,450 acres (5,443 ha) and the total catchment area is 897 square miles (2,323 square kilometres).

New Melones Dam Spillway

According to the latest available data, the New Melones Dam does not have any spillways.

New Melones Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
New Melones Dam
Calaveras, California
Height (ft)
578
Length (Ft)
1,560
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
2,870,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
897
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

New Melones Dam Weather

Current Conditions at New Melones Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 19:26
Sunrise 06:33
Sunset 16:57
Temperature (°F) 52
Feels Like (°F) 50
Cloud Coverage (%) 100
Pressure (inHg) 1017
Humidity (%) 65
Wind Speed (mph) 0
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for New Melones Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 45 69 62 1015 18 5 6 WSW 0 - clear sky
Thu 47 69 64 1021 18 6 5 WSW 0 - clear sky
Fri 48 70 65 1019 20 5 4 WSW 0 - clear sky
Sat 49 70 66 1015 20 6 4 WSW 0 - few clouds
Sun 52 71 64 1017 22 6 9 W 0 - broken clouds
Mon 50 66 63 1017 29 11 18 SW 100 2 light rain
Tue 45 59 53 1022 62 8 12 NW 100 3 light rain
Wed 43 65 54 1021 29 4 3 NE 0 - broken clouds

New Melones Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the New Melones Dam?

New Melones Dam is in California.

In which county is the New Melones Dam?

New Melones Dam is in Calaveras County.

How high is the New Melones Dam?

New Melones Dam is 578 feet high.

How long is the New Melones Dam?

New Melones Dam is 1,560 feet long.

Share New Melones Dam:

More Dams in Calaveras County:

New Hogan Dam
New Melones Dam
Pardee Dam
Salt Springs Dam
Salt Springs Valley Dam
Tulloch 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

Generated by MPG