Palen
Palen is an earth dam located in Sierra County, California, built in 1951. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Palen
The primary purpose of Palen 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 Harris Family Trust (private). It impounds the Antelope Creek.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 260 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 146 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10 square miles. Completed in 1951, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 07/24/2024.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Sierra |
| River/Stream | Antelope Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.65390, -120.30740 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 260 ft |
| Year Completed | 1951 (75 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 146 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 146 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12 acres |
| Drainage Area | 10 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Harris Family Trust |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/24/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00535 |
| Federal ID | CA00535 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |