Homestake Tailings

Tr Hunting Cr· Lake, California· Built 1990· Earth· 169 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Homestake Tailings is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1990 and is 36 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 169 ft (taller than 92.5% in CA)
Dam Length11,670 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage32.4K acre-ft
Surface Area412 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Year Completed1990 (36 years old)
NID IDCA01205

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: November 16, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Homestake Mining Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Homestake Tailings?

Homestake Tailings 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 Homestake Tailings?

Homestake Tailings is owned by Homestake Mining Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Homestake Tailings built?

Homestake Tailings was completed in 1990, making it 36 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 Homestake Tailings?

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

How tall is Homestake Tailings?

Homestake Tailings has a dam height of 169 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 Homestake Tailings last inspected?

Homestake Tailings was last inspected on November 16, 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.