Kunkle is an earth dam located in Butte County, California, built in 1907. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 54 ft54 ft tall and 1,040 ft long, taller than 94% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Kunkle
Kunkle is a dam in Butte, California. The dam is owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (private). It impounds the Tr W Br Feather R.
The dam stands 54 feet tall and stretches 1,040 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 18 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 155 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1907, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 10/09/2025.
At 54 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Butte |
| River/Stream | Tr W Br Feather R |
| Coordinates | 39.71300, -121.57570 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 54 ft |
| Dam Height | 54 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,040 ft |
| Year Completed | 1907 (119 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 155 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 155 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 18 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/09/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00344 |
| Federal ID | CA00344 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |