Black Hawk

Coarse Gold Cr· Madera, California· Built 1971· Earth· 45 ft tall
Significant Hazard Water Supply Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Black Hawk is classified as significant hazard in California. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is water supply. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 45 ft (taller than 54% in CA)
Dam Length510 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage740 acre-ft
Surface Area55 acres
Drainage Area59 sq mi
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDCA00707

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: May 25, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Private Entity

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Black Hawk?

Black Hawk is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Black Hawk?

Black Hawk is owned by Private Entity (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Black Hawk built?

Black Hawk was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Black Hawk?

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

How tall is Black Hawk?

Black Hawk has a dam height of 45 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 Black Hawk last inspected?

Black Hawk was last inspected on May 25, 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.