Caribou Lake

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.

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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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: No

Location

StateCalifornia
CountyLassen
River/StreamSusan River
Coordinates40.50280, -121.16440

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height16 ft
Dam Height16 ft
Dam Length250 ft
Year Completed1928 (98 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage460 acre-ft
Max Storage460 acre-ft
Surface Area67 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerRoney Land and Cattle Company, Inc.
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/24/2025
Emergency Action PlanNo

Identifiers

NID IDCA00514
Federal IDCA00514
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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