Bidwell Lake is an earth dam located in Plumas County, California, built in 1865. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 35 ft35 ft tall and 325 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 Bidwell Lake
The primary purpose of Bidwell 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 Indian Valley Community Service District (public utility). It impounds the No Canyon Cr near Greenville.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 325 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 487 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1865, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 04/23/2025.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The California dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | California |
| County | Plumas |
| Nearest City | Greenville |
| River/Stream | No Canyon Cr |
| Coordinates | 40.11370, -120.96180 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 325 ft |
| Year Completed | 1865 (161 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,200 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,200 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 487 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Indian Valley Community Service District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/23/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00530 |
| Federal ID | CA00530 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |