Putts Lake
Putts Lake is an earth dam located in Placer County, California, built in 1916. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Putts Lake
Putts Lake is a dam in Placer, California. The dam is owned by 40 Acre Conservation League (private). It impounds the Blue Canyon Cr near Colfax.
The dam stands 19 feet tall and stretches 1,025 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 34 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 249 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1916, 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 06/11/2025.
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 | Placer |
| Nearest City | Colfax |
| River/Stream | Blue Canyon Cr |
| Coordinates | 39.28790, -120.68470 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,025 ft |
| Year Completed | 1916 (110 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 249 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 249 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 34 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | 40 Acre Conservation League |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/11/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00540 |
| Federal ID | CA00540 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |