Kelly Lake
Kelly Lake is an earth dam located in Placer County, California, built in 1928. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Kelly Lake
The primary purpose of Kelly Lake 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 North Fork American River near Washington.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 448 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 26 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 336 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 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 06/06/2022.
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 | Placer |
| Nearest City | Washington |
| River/Stream | North Fork American River |
| Coordinates | 39.31100, -120.58120 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 448 ft |
| Year Completed | 1928 (98 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 360 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 336 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 360 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 26 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 490 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 | 06/06/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00353 |
| Federal ID | CA00353 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |