Priest

About Priest

Priest is a dam in Tuolumne, California. The dam is owned by San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (local government). It impounds the Rattlesnake Crk near Moccasin.

The dam stands 168 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 45 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 2,067 acre-feet. Completed in 1923, the structure is over a century 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 02/05/2025.

At 168 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.