Burns is an earth dam located in Napa County, California, built in 1956. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 39 ft39 ft tall and 480 ft long, taller than 85% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Burns
The primary purpose of Burns is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Buckman Vineyards LLC (private). It impounds the Tri Swartz Cr.
The dam stands 39 feet tall and stretches 480 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 62 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1956, 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 11/04/2025.
At 39 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Napa |
| River/Stream | Tri Swartz Cr |
| Coordinates | 38.64760, -122.49050 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Length | 480 ft |
| Year Completed | 1956 (70 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 62 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 62 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Buckman Vineyards LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/04/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00986 |
| Federal ID | CA00986 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |