A. L. Chaffin
A. L. Chaffin is an earth dam located in Butte County, California, built in 1957. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About A. L. Chaffin
The primary purpose of A. L. Chaffin 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 Estate Of George R. Chaffin (private). It impounds the Tr Cottonwood Cr.
The dam stands 65 feet tall and stretches 475 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 450 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1957, 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 05/23/2025.
At 65 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Butte |
| River/Stream | Tr Cottonwood Cr |
| Coordinates | 39.59690, -121.58510 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 65 ft |
| Dam Height | 65 ft |
| Dam Length | 475 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 450 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 450 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Estate of George R. Chaffin |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/23/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00552 |
| Federal ID | CA00552 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |