Chimney Dam

About Chimney Dam

The primary purpose of Chimney Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Nevada First Corporation;nfc Land & Cattle Llc (private). It impounds the Little Humboldt River near Winnemucca.

The dam stands 100 feet tall and stretches 1,110 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,080 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 66,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 736 square miles. Completed in 1974, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/27/2023.

At 100 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.

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