Buckhorn is an earth dam located in Lassen County, California, built in 1904. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 35 ft35 ft tall and 300 ft long, taller than 80% 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 Buckhorn
The primary purpose of Buckhorn 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 Dodge Ranch LLC (private). It impounds the Buckhorn Creek.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 300 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 18 square miles. Completed in 1904, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 08/26/2025.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Lassen |
| River/Stream | Buckhorn Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.85200, -120.09470 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1904 (122 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 300 acres |
| Drainage Area | 18 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Dodge Ranch LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/26/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00519 |
| Federal ID | CA00519 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |