North Battle Creek

North Battle Creek is a rockfill dam located in Shasta County, California, built in 1909. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

Hazard potentialHighFailure would probably cost lives
ConditionSatisfactoryBest of 4 ratings
Emergency action planOn file
Last inspection10/04/2022
Height47 ft
Built1909117 years ago

Dam profile

NID height · 47 ft
47 FT TEN-STORY BUILDINGMEDIAN U.S. DAM · 24 FT

47 ft tall and 439 ft long, taller than 91% 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 rockfill embankment section and the water level is illustrative.

About North Battle Creek

The primary purpose of North Battle 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 North Fork Battle Creek near Macumber Flat.

The dam stands 47 feet tall and stretches 439 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 80 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,090 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1909, 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 10/04/2022.

At 47 feet, this dam is taller than 91% 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

StateCalifornia
CountyShasta
Nearest CityMacumber Flat
River/StreamNorth Fork Battle Creek
Coordinates40.60292, -121.65520

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeRockfill
NID Height47 ft
Dam Height47 ft
Dam Length439 ft
Year Completed1909 (117 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage1,090 acre-ft
Max Storage1,090 acre-ft
Normal Storage1,090 acre-ft
Surface Area80 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge2,400 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerPacific Gas and Electric Company
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection10/04/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCA00394
Federal IDCA00394
More InfoState Dam Safety Program