Crystal Lake is an earth dam located in El Dorado County, California, built in 1952. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 700 ft long, taller than 74% 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 Crystal Lake
The primary purpose of Crystal 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 Bridlewood Canyon Owners Association (private). It impounds the Tr Deer Creek near Cameron Park.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 225 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1952, 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 11/04/2025.
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 | Cameron Park |
| River/Stream | Tr Deer Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.67070, -121.01010 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 700 ft |
| Year Completed | 1952 (74 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 225 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 225 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Bridlewood Canyon Owners Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/04/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA01282 |
| Federal ID | CA01282 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |