Payne
Payne is an earth dam located in Modoc County, California, built in 1928. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Payne
The primary purpose of Payne 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 Ray Breiner (private). It impounds the Tr Sfk Pit River.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 6,250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 526 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,850 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1928, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 06/19/2025.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Modoc |
| River/Stream | Tr Sfk Pit River |
| Coordinates | 41.39930, -120.46730 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 6,250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1928 (98 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,850 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,850 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 526 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Ray Breiner |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/19/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00475 |
| Federal ID | CA00475 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |