Indian Ole
Indian Ole is a buttress dam located in Lassen County, California, built in 1924. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Indian Ole
The primary purpose of Indian Ole 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 Pacific Gas And Electric Company (private). It impounds the Hamilton Creek near N/a.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 264 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5,800 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 24,800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 163 square miles. Completed in 1924, 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 08/28/2024.
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 | Lassen |
| Nearest City | N/a |
| River/Stream | Hamilton Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.28380, -121.02470 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 264 ft |
| Year Completed | 1924 (102 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 24,800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 24,800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5,800 acres |
| Drainage Area | 163 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/28/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00407 |
| Federal ID | CA00407 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |