Lake Yosemite
Lake Yosemite is an earth dam located in Merced County, California, built in 1888. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Yosemite
The primary purpose of Lake Yosemite 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 Merced Irrigation District (public utility). It impounds the Tr Merced Rv near Merced.
The dam stands 53 feet tall and stretches 4,750 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 500 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 10,323 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1888, 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 03/24/2025.
At 53 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.
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 | Merced |
| Nearest City | Merced |
| River/Stream | Tr Merced Rv |
| Coordinates | 37.37540, -120.43930 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 53 ft |
| Dam Height | 53 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,750 ft |
| Year Completed | 1888 (138 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 10,323 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 10,323 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 500 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Merced Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/24/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00241 |
| Federal ID | CA00241 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |