Rock Creek is a concrete dam located in Placer County, California, built in 1913. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 36 ft36 ft tall and 1,020 ft long, taller than 82% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Rock Creek
The primary purpose of Rock Creek 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 Rock Creek near Auburn.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 1,020 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 55 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 415 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1913, the structure is over a century 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 08/08/2023.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.
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 | Auburn |
| River/Stream | Rock Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.94720, -121.09030 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,020 ft |
| Year Completed | 1913 (113 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 415 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 415 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 415 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 55 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,320 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 | CA00368 |
| Federal ID | CA00368 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |