Peters
Peters is an earth dam located in Marin County, California, built in 1954. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Peters
The primary purpose of Peters 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 Marin Municipal Water District (public utility). It impounds the Lagunitas Creek near Lagunitas.
The dam stands 230 feet tall and stretches 700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 431 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 32,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 22 square miles. Completed in 1954, 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 09/17/2025.
At 230 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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 | Marin |
| Nearest City | Lagunitas |
| River/Stream | Lagunitas Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.99770, -122.70290 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 230 ft |
| Dam Height | 230 ft |
| Dam Length | 700 ft |
| Year Completed | 1954 (72 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 32,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 32,900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 431 acres |
| Drainage Area | 22 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Marin Municipal Water District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/17/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00208 |
| Federal ID | CA00208 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |