Penn Valley Wastewater is an earth dam located in Nevada County, California, built in 1990. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 39 ft39 ft tall and 540 ft long, taller than 85% 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 Penn Valley Wastewater
The primary purpose of Penn Valley Wastewater 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 Nevada County Department of Sanitation (local government). It impounds the Tr Indian Spr Cr.
The dam stands 39 feet tall and stretches 540 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 52 acre-feet. Completed in 1990, the structure is 36 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 02/26/2025.
At 39 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | California |
| County | Nevada |
| River/Stream | Tr Indian Spr Cr |
| Coordinates | 39.17520, -121.20810 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Length | 540 ft |
| Year Completed | 1990 (36 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 52 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 52 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Nevada County Department of Sanitation |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/26/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA01247 |
| Federal ID | CA01247 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |