Harry L. Englebright Dam
Harry L. Englebright Dam is an arch dam located in Yuba County, California, built in 1941. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Harry L. Englebright Dam
The primary purpose of Harry L. Englebright Dam is debris control. The dam is designed to catch sediment, rocks, and debris carried by flowing water — particularly important in areas prone to mudslides or heavy erosion. The dam is owned by Usace - Sacramento District (federal). It impounds the Yuba River near Marysville.
The dam stands 280 feet tall and stretches 1,142 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 815 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 103,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,100 square miles. Completed in 1941, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/27/2024.
At 280 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Yuba |
| Nearest City | Marysville |
| River/Stream | Yuba River |
| Coordinates | 39.24001, -121.26928 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Arch |
| NID Height | 280 ft |
| Dam Height | 242 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,142 ft |
| Year Completed | 1941 (85 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 103,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 103,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 70,590 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 815 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,100 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 350,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Debris Control |
| Owner | USACE - Sacramento District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/27/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA10105 |
| Federal ID | CA10105 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |