Donner Lake
Donner Lake is a buttress dam located in Nevada County, California, built in 1927. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Donner Lake
The primary purpose of Donner Lake 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 Truckee Meadows Water Authority (public utility).
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 45 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 960 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 10,300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 14 square miles. Completed in 1927, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 10/23/2025.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Nevada |
| Coordinates | 39.32360, -120.23720 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 45 ft |
| Year Completed | 1927 (99 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 10,300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 10,300 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 960 acres |
| Drainage Area | 14 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/23/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00537 |
| Federal ID | CA00537 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |