Lake Buck

Long Valley Cr· Sierra, California· Built 1951· Earth· 37 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Irrigation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Buck is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1951 and is 75 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 37 ft (taller than 41.5% in CA)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage140 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area13 sq mi
Year Completed1951 (75 years old)
NID IDCA00536

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 18, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Private Entity

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Buck?

Lake Buck 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 Lake Buck?

Lake Buck is owned by Private Entity (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Buck built?

Lake Buck was completed in 1951, making it 75 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 Lake Buck?

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

How tall is Lake Buck?

Lake Buck has a dam height of 37 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 Lake Buck last inspected?

Lake Buck was last inspected on August 18, 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.