Dams in Butte County, California
25Total Dams
14High Hazard
2Significant
Dam Safety in Butte County, California
Butte County has 25 dams tracked in the National Inventory of Dams. Of these, 14 are classified as high hazard — meaning failure would probably cause loss of human life. Another 2 carry a significant hazard classification. Currently, 2 dams have a condition assessment of poor or unsatisfactory.
The average dam in Butte County is 80 years old. The most common purpose is hydroelectric. The tallest dam is Oroville at 770 ft.
Explore more: Oldest dams in California · Tallest dams · High risk dams · Largest reservoirs
| Dam | Hazard | Condition | Height (ft) | Purpose | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oroville | High | Fair | 770 | Flood Risk Reduction | 1968 |
| Sly Creek | High | Satisfactory | 299 | Hydroelectric | 1961 |
| Paradise | High | Satisfactory | 175 | Water Supply | 1957 |
| Thermalito Diversion | High | Satisfactory | 143 | Water Supply | 1967 |
| Lost Creek | High | Fair | 122 | Hydroelectric | 1924 |
| Magalia | High | Poor | 103 | Water Supply | 1918 |
| Concow | High | Satisfactory | 94 | Water Supply | 1925 |
| Thermalito Forebay | High | Satisfactory | 91 | Hydroelectric | 1967 |
| Miner's Ranch | High | Satisfactory | 90 | Hydroelectric | 1962 |
| Lake Wyandotte | High | Satisfactory | 46 | Other | 1924 |
| Thermalito Afterbay | High | Fair | 39 | Water Supply | 1967 |
| Lake Madrone | High | Satisfactory | 37 | Water Supply | 1931 |
| Round Valley | High | Unsatisfactory | 29 | Hydroelectric | 1877 |
| California Park | High | Satisfactory | 23 | Water Supply | 1986 |
| Kunkle | Significant | Satisfactory | 54 | Other | 1907 |
| Grizzly Creek | Significant | Satisfactory | 50 | Water Supply | 1964 |
| Ponderosa | Low | Satisfactory | 160 | Hydroelectric | 1962 |
| Fish Barrier | Low | Satisfactory | 91 | Water Supply | 1964 |
| Forbestown Diversion | Low | Satisfactory | 81 | Hydroelectric | 1962 |
| Poe | Low | Satisfactory | 80 | Hydroelectric | 1958 |
| A. L. Chaffin | Low | Satisfactory | 65 | Water Supply | 1957 |
| Big Bend | Low | Satisfactory | 61 | ||
| De Sabla Forebay | Low | Satisfactory | 52 | Hydroelectric | 1962 |
| Philbrook Saddle | Low | Satisfactory | 24 | Hydroelectric | 1926 |
| Hendricks Head | Low | Satisfactory | 15 | Hydroelectric | 1907 |