Lake Leavitt is an earth dam located in Lassen County, California, built in 1891. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 17 ft17 ft tall and 8,800 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 Lake Leavitt
The primary purpose of Lake Leavitt 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 Lassen Irrigation Company (private). It impounds the Tr Susan River.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 8,800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,142 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,482 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9 square miles. Completed in 1891, the structure is over a century 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. The most recent inspection on record was 08/27/2025.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Lassen |
| River/Stream | Tr Susan River |
| Coordinates | 40.37560, -120.50010 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 8,800 ft |
| Year Completed | 1891 (135 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 7,482 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 7,482 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,142 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Lassen Irrigation Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/27/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00516 |
| Federal ID | CA00516 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |