Alpine

Lagunitas Creek· Marin, California· Built 1917· Gravity· 143 ft tall
High Hazard Other Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Alpine is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1917 and is 109 years old. Its primary use is other. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 143 ft (taller than 89.1% in CA)
Dam Length524 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage8.9K acre-ft
Surface Area224 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Year Completed1917 (109 years old)
NID IDCA00204

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 13, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Marin Municipal Water District

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Alpine?

Alpine is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Alpine?

Alpine is owned by Marin Municipal Water District (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Alpine built?

Alpine was completed in 1917, making it 109 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Alpine?

Alpine serves the following purposes: Other, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Alpine?

Alpine has a dam height of 143 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Alpine last inspected?

Alpine was last inspected on September 13, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.