Kelsey is an earth dam located in Merced County, California, built in 1929. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 28 ft28 ft tall and 900 ft long, taller than 62% 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 Kelsey
The primary purpose of Kelsey 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 Mr. Ralph Fagundes (private). It impounds the Tr S Fork Dry Cr.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 116 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1929, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in 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 05/08/2025.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | California |
| County | Merced |
| River/Stream | Tr S Fork Dry Cr |
| Coordinates | 37.54510, -120.35450 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1929 (97 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 116 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Mr. Ralph Fagundes |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/08/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00698 |
| Federal ID | CA00698 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |