Ridgewood
Ridgewood is an earth dam located in Mendocino County, California, built in 1929. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Ridgewood
The primary purpose of Ridgewood 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 The Walker Lake Association (private). It impounds the Forsythe Creek.
The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 32 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 185 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1929, 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 06/18/2025.
At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 90% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Mendocino |
| River/Stream | Forsythe Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.32070, -123.34090 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Length | 230 ft |
| Year Completed | 1929 (97 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 185 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 185 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 32 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | The Walker Lake Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/18/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00560 |
| Federal ID | CA00560 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |