Tule Lake
Tule Lake is an earth dam located in Lassen County, California, built in 1904. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Tule Lake
The primary purpose of Tule 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 Tule Lake Water Users Association (private). It impounds the Cedar Creek.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,650 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 17,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 82 square miles. Completed in 1904, 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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/24/2025.
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 | Lassen |
| River/Stream | Cedar Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.08380, -120.36480 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1904 (122 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 17,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 17,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,650 acres |
| Drainage Area | 82 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Tule Lake Water Users Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/24/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00956 |
| Federal ID | CA00956 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |