Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake is an earth dam located in Nevada County, California, built in 1943. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Jackson Lake
The primary purpose of Jackson Lake is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Nevada Irrigation District (public utility). It impounds the Jackson Creek Tr Canyon Creek near Jackson Creek Campground.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 830 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 51 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,330 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1943, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 08/22/2023.
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 | Jackson Creek Campground |
| River/Stream | Jackson Creek Tr Canyon Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.46430, -120.56350 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 830 ft |
| Year Completed | 1943 (83 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,330 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,330 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,330 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 51 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 780 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Nevada Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/22/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00252 |
| Federal ID | CA00252 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |