Dawson Lake
Dawson Lake is an earth dam located in Stanislaus County, California, built in 1896. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Dawson Lake
The primary purpose of Dawson Lake 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 Turlock Irrigation District (public utility). It impounds the Tr Tuolumne Rv.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 287 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 137 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 960 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 12 square miles. Completed in 1896, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 02/18/2025.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | California |
| County | Stanislaus |
| River/Stream | Tr Tuolumne Rv |
| Coordinates | 37.64050, -120.47850 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 287 ft |
| Year Completed | 1896 (130 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 960 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 960 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 137 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Turlock Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/18/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00280 |
| Federal ID | CA00280 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |