Brush Creek is a concrete dam located in El Dorado County, California, built in 1970. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 213 ft213 ft tall and 780 ft long, taller than 99% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against the Statue of Liberty, 305 ft ground to torch; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Brush Creek
The primary purpose of Brush Creek 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 Sacramento Municipal Utility District (public utility). It impounds the Brush Creek near Coloma.
The dam stands 213 feet tall and stretches 780 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,350 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1970, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 08/31/2023.
At 213 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | El Dorado |
| Nearest City | Coloma |
| River/Stream | Brush Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.81180, -120.62200 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 213 ft |
| Dam Height | 213 ft |
| Dam Length | 780 ft |
| Year Completed | 1970 (56 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,350 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,350 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,320 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 22 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 13,250 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Sacramento Municipal Utility District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/31/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00824 |
| Federal ID | CA00824 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |