White Rock Lake

White Rock Lake is an earth dam located in Nevada County, California, built in 1855. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About White Rock Lake

The primary purpose of White Rock Lake is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Pacific Gas And Electric Company (private). It impounds the White Rock Creek near Hobart Hills.

The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 274 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 90 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 570 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1855, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.

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 08/12/2019.

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Low HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateCalifornia
CountyNevada
Nearest CityHobart Hills
River/StreamWhite Rock Creek
Coordinates39.41770, -120.38890

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height14 ft
Dam Height13 ft
Dam Length274 ft
Year Completed1855 (171 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage850 acre-ft
Max Storage570 acre-ft
Normal Storage850 acre-ft
Surface Area90 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge350 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerPacific Gas and Electric Company
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationLow
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection08/12/2019
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDCA00373
Federal IDCA00373
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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