Trout Lake is an earth dam located in Siskiyou County, California, built in 1960. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 40 ft40 ft tall and 650 ft long, taller than 86% 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 embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Trout Lake
The primary purpose of Trout Lake is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (state). It impounds the Tr Lit Shasta R.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 176 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,108 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1960, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 04/08/2025.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 86% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Siskiyou |
| River/Stream | Tr Lit Shasta R |
| Coordinates | 41.68850, -122.48340 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 650 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,108 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,108 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 176 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | California Department of Fish and Wildlife |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/08/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00500 |
| Federal ID | CA00500 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |