Grizzly Forebay
Grizzly Forebay is a concrete dam located in Plumas County, California, built in 1928. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Grizzly Forebay
The primary purpose of Grizzly Forebay is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Pacific Gas And Electric Company (private). It impounds the Grizzly Creek near Pulga.
The dam stands 98 feet tall and stretches 520 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 38 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,112 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 14 square miles. Completed in 1928, 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 08/08/2023.
At 98 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Plumas |
| Nearest City | Pulga |
| River/Stream | Grizzly Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.89150, -121.29170 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 98 ft |
| Dam Height | 98 ft |
| Dam Length | 520 ft |
| Year Completed | 1928 (98 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,112 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,112 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,110 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 38 acres |
| Drainage Area | 14 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 9,200 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/08/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00333 |
| Federal ID | CA00333 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |