Rollins
Rollins is an earth dam located in Nevada County, California, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Rollins
The primary purpose of Rollins 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 Nevada Irrigation District (public utility). It impounds the Bear River near Rd 174 Bridge, Combie Dam.
The dam stands 228 feet tall and stretches 1,840 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 828 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 65,988 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 104 square miles. Completed in 1965, 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 08/21/2023.
At 228 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 | Nevada |
| Nearest City | Rd 174 Bridge, Combie Dam |
| River/Stream | Bear River |
| Coordinates | 39.13590, -120.95280 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 228 ft |
| Dam Height | 228 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,840 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 65,988 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 65,988 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 65,988 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 828 acres |
| Drainage Area | 104 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 60,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Nevada Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/21/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00255 |
| Federal ID | CA00255 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |