Big Creek Dam No. 7
Big Creek Dam No. 7 is a concrete dam located in Madera County, California, built in 1951. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Big Creek Dam No. 7
The primary purpose of Big Creek Dam No. 7 is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Southern California Edison Company (private). It impounds the San Joaquin River near Auberry.
The dam stands 250 feet tall and stretches 875 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 464 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 35,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,400 square miles. Completed in 1951, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/02/2023.
At 250 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The California dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | California |
| County | Madera |
| Nearest City | Auberry |
| River/Stream | San Joaquin River |
| Coordinates | 37.14480, -119.45130 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 250 ft |
| Dam Height | 250 ft |
| Dam Length | 875 ft |
| Year Completed | 1951 (75 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 35,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 35,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 26,119 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 464 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,400 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 150,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Southern California Edison Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/02/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00440 |
| Federal ID | CA00440 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |