Our House

Our House is a concrete dam located in Nevada County, California, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Our House

The primary purpose of Our House 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 Yuba County Water Agency (public utility). It impounds the Middle Yuba River near Pike.

The dam stands 97 feet tall and stretches 368 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 14 acres, has a storage capacity of 280 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 145 square miles. Completed in 1969, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 09/14/2023.

At 97 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The California dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateCalifornia
CountyNevada
Nearest CityPike
River/StreamMiddle Yuba River
Coordinates39.41180, -120.99580

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeConcrete
NID Height97 ft
Dam Height70 ft
Dam Length368 ft
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage280 acre-ft
Normal Storage280 acre-ft
Surface Area14 acres
Drainage Area145 sq mi
Max Discharge59,400 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerYuba County Water Agency
Owner TypePublic Utility
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection09/14/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCA00864
Federal IDCA00864
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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