Charleston Reservoir Dam

BRUNEAU RIVER· Elko, Nevada· Built 1920· Earth· 16 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Charleston Reservoir Dam is classified as low hazard in Nevada. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 29.2% in NV)
Dam Length270 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage300 acre-ft
Surface Area50 acres
Drainage Area99 sq mi
Max Discharge560 cfs
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
NID IDNV00038

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 17, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NEVADA DWR

Ownership

BRUNEAU RIVER RANCH LLC

Private

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Charleston Reservoir Dam?

Charleston Reservoir Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Charleston Reservoir Dam?

Charleston Reservoir Dam is owned by BRUNEAU RIVER RANCH LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Charleston Reservoir Dam built?

Charleston Reservoir Dam was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 Charleston Reservoir Dam?

Charleston Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Charleston Reservoir Dam?

Charleston Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Charleston Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Charleston Reservoir Dam was last inspected on June 17, 2021. 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.