Swan
Swan is an earth dam located in Nevada County, California, built in 1967. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Swan
The primary purpose of Swan 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 Lakewood Association (private). It impounds the Dry Creek near Beale Afb.
The dam stands 59 feet tall and stretches 515 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 34 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 550 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1967, 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 04/23/2025.
At 59 feet, this dam is taller than 95% 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.
Location
| State | California |
| County | Nevada |
| Nearest City | Beale Afb |
| River/Stream | Dry Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.13530, -121.13580 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 59 ft |
| Dam Height | 59 ft |
| Dam Length | 515 ft |
| Year Completed | 1967 (59 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 550 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 550 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 34 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Lakewood Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/23/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00965 |
| Federal ID | CA00965 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |