Paradise
Paradise is an earth dam located in Butte County, California, built in 1957. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Paradise
The primary purpose of Paradise 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 Paradise Irrigation District (public utility). It impounds the Little Butte Cr near Chico.
The dam stands 175 feet tall and stretches 1,720 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 244 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 11,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1957, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 01/16/2025.
At 175 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.
Location
| State | California |
| County | Butte |
| Nearest City | Chico |
| River/Stream | Little Butte Cr |
| Coordinates | 39.85080, -121.57810 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 175 ft |
| Dam Height | 175 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,720 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 11,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 11,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 244 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Paradise Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 01/16/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00297 |
| Federal ID | CA00297 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |