Lema is an earth dam located in Shasta County, California, built in 1957. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 31 ft31 ft tall and 516 ft long, taller than 72% 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 Lema
The primary purpose of Lema 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 The Mcconnell Foundation (private). It impounds the Tr Churn Creek.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 516 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 14 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 108 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1957, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 04/21/2025.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Shasta |
| River/Stream | Tr Churn Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.59790, -122.33410 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 516 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 108 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 108 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 14 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | The Mcconnell Foundation |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/21/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00937 |
| Federal ID | CA00937 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |