Silver Lake
Silver Lake is an earth dam located in Plumas County, California, built in 1906. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Silver Lake
The primary purpose of Silver 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 Spanish Ranch-quincy, Llc (private). It impounds the Silver Creek near Meadow Valley.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 620 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 120 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 650 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1906, the structure is over a century old.
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 08/28/2025.
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 | Meadow Valley |
| River/Stream | Silver Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.95770, -121.13360 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 620 ft |
| Year Completed | 1906 (120 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 650 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 650 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 120 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Spanish Ranch-Quincy, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/28/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00531 |
| Federal ID | CA00531 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |