Lake Aloha Main
Lake Aloha Main is a masonry dam located in El Dorado County, California, built in 1917. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Aloha Main
The primary purpose of Lake Aloha Main 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 El Dorado Irrigation District (private). It impounds the South Fork American River near South Lake Tahoe.
The dam stands 33 feet tall and stretches 113 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 630 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,063 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1917, 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 08/24/2023.
At 33 feet, this dam is taller than 78% 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 | El Dorado |
| Nearest City | South Lake Tahoe |
| River/Stream | South Fork American River |
| Coordinates | 38.85985, -120.13724 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 113 ft |
| Year Completed | 1917 (109 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,063 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,063 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 5,063 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 630 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | El Dorado Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/24/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00376 |
| Federal ID | CA00376 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |