Horse Lake

Snowstorm Creek· Lassen, California· Built 1912· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Horse Lake is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 4% in CA)
Dam Length1,200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Surface Area34 acres
Drainage Area17 sq mi
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDCA00521

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: September 9, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Snow Storm Ranch

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Horse Lake?

Horse Lake 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 Horse Lake?

Horse Lake is owned by Snow Storm Ranch (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Horse Lake built?

Horse Lake was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Horse Lake?

Horse Lake 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 Horse Lake?

Horse Lake has a dam height of 12 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 Horse Lake last inspected?

Horse Lake was last inspected on September 9, 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.