Berenda Slough
Berenda Slough is an earth dam located in Madera County, California, built in 1962. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Berenda Slough
Berenda Slough is a dam in Madera, California. The dam is owned by Chowchilla Water District (public utility). It impounds the Berenda Slough near Chowchilla.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 1,040 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 230 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,450 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 283 square miles. Completed in 1962, 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 03/21/2025.
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 | Chowchilla |
| River/Stream | Berenda Slough |
| Coordinates | 37.13000, -120.18850 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,040 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,450 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,450 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 230 acres |
| Drainage Area | 283 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Chowchilla Water District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/21/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00835 |
| Federal ID | CA00835 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |