Emergency Effluent Holding
Emergency Effluent Holding is an earth dam located in El Dorado County, California, built in 1961. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Emergency Effluent Holding
The primary purpose of Emergency Effluent Holding 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 South Tahoe Public Utility District (public utility). It impounds the Tr Heavenly Vy Cr near South Lake Tahoe.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 3,250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 17 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 184 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1961, 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 10/17/2025.
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 | El Dorado |
| Nearest City | South Lake Tahoe |
| River/Stream | Tr Heavenly Vy Cr |
| Coordinates | 38.91550, -119.96530 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1961 (65 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 184 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 184 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 17 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | South Tahoe Public Utility District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/17/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA01106 |
| Federal ID | CA01106 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |