Halsey Forebay No. 1

Dry Creek· Placer, California· Built 1913· Earth· 42 ft tall
High Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Halsey Forebay No. 1 is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1913 and is 113 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. 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 42 ft (taller than 50.1% in CA)
Dam Length850 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage244 acre-ft
Normal Storage244 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Max Discharge1,200 cfs
Year Completed1913 (113 years old)
NID IDCA00352

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: August 7, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Safety of Dams

Ownership

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Halsey Forebay No. 1?

Halsey Forebay No. 1 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 Halsey Forebay No. 1?

Halsey Forebay No. 1 is owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Halsey Forebay No. 1 built?

Halsey Forebay No. 1 was completed in 1913, making it 113 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 Halsey Forebay No. 1?

Halsey Forebay No. 1 serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Halsey Forebay No. 1?

Halsey Forebay No. 1 has a dam height of 42 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 Halsey Forebay No. 1 last inspected?

Halsey Forebay No. 1 was last inspected on August 7, 2023. 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.