Lake Francis
Key Takeaway
Lake Francis is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 2000 and is 26 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 | 79 ft (taller than 75.9% in CA) |
| Dam Length | 1,341 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 1.9K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 98 acres |
| Year Completed | 2000 (26 years old) |
| NID ID | CA00866 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
Yuba County Water Agency
Local Government
Nearby Dams
New Bullards Bar
Yuba, CA
High Hazard 645 ftLos Verjels
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Significant Hazard 56 ftPine Grove
Nevada, CA
Low Hazard 42 ftVirginia Ranch
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High Hazard 152 ftAnthony House
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High Hazard 75 ftHarry L. Englebright Dam
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High Hazard 242 ftAnderson Ranch
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Low Hazard 47 ftBellett
Nevada, CA
Low Hazard 54 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Lake Francis?
Lake Francis 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 Lake Francis?
Lake Francis is owned by Yuba County Water Agency (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Lake Francis built?
Lake Francis was completed in 2000, making it 26 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 Francis?
Lake Francis serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Lake Francis?
Lake Francis has a dam height of 79 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 Francis last inspected?
Lake Francis was last inspected on May 25, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.