Caribou Lake is an earth dam located in Lassen County, California, built in 1928. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 16 ft16 ft tall and 250 ft long. 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 Caribou Lake
The primary purpose of Caribou 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 Roney Land and Cattle Company, Inc. (private). It impounds the Susan River.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 67 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 460 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1928, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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. The most recent inspection on record was 06/24/2025.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Lassen |
| River/Stream | Susan River |
| Coordinates | 40.50280, -121.16440 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1928 (98 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 460 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 460 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 67 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Roney Land and Cattle Company, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/24/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00514 |
| Federal ID | CA00514 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |