De Sabla Forebay
De Sabla Forebay is an earth dam located in Butte County, California, built in 1962. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About De Sabla Forebay
The primary purpose of De Sabla 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 Butte Creek near De Sabla.
The dam stands 52 feet tall and stretches 1,079 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 14 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 188 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1962, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 07/11/2023.
At 52 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Butte |
| Nearest City | De Sabla |
| River/Stream | Butte Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.87206, -121.61184 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,079 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 188 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 188 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 14 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/11/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00343 |
| Federal ID | CA00343 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |