Dead Horse Reservoir

Modoc, California· Built 1931· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Dead Horse Reservoir is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1931 and is 95 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.1% in CA)
Dam Length550 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage600 acre-ft
Max Discharge95 cfs
Year Completed1931 (95 years old)
NID IDCA10312

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: August 1, 2011
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dead Horse Reservoir?

Dead Horse Reservoir 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 Dead Horse Reservoir?

Dead Horse Reservoir is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dead Horse Reservoir built?

Dead Horse Reservoir was completed in 1931, making it 95 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 Dead Horse Reservoir?

Dead Horse Reservoir serves the following purposes: 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 Dead Horse Reservoir?

Dead Horse Reservoir has a dam height of 7 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 Dead Horse Reservoir last inspected?

Dead Horse Reservoir was last inspected on August 1, 2011. 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.