Coyote Creek
Coyote Creek is an earth dam located in Lake County, California, built in 1968. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Coyote Creek
The primary purpose of Coyote Creek 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 Hidden Valley Lake Association (private). It impounds the Coyote Creek near Hidden Valley Lake.
The dam stands 92 feet tall and stretches 410 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 100 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,375 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1968, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 12/22/2025.
At 92 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Lake |
| Nearest City | Hidden Valley Lake |
| River/Stream | Coyote Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.81000, -122.56910 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 92 ft |
| Dam Height | 92 ft |
| Dam Length | 410 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,375 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,375 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 100 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Hidden Valley Lake Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/22/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00572 |
| Federal ID | CA00572 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |