Last Chance Weir

Kings River· Fresno, California· Built 1919· Buttress· 24 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Last Chance Weir is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1919 and is 107 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 22.6% in CA)
Dam Length143 ft
Dam TypeButtress
Max Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area850 sq mi
Year Completed1919 (107 years old)
NID IDCA00716

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: May 26, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Last Chance Water Ditch Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Reynolds Weir

Fresno, CA

Low Hazard 13 ft

Lemoore Diversion Weir

Fresno, CA

Low Hazard 21 ft

Island Weir

Kings, CA

Low Hazard 13 ft

Peoples Weir

Kings, CA

Low Hazard 23 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Last Chance Weir?

Last Chance Weir 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 Last Chance Weir?

Last Chance Weir is owned by Last Chance Water Ditch Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Last Chance Weir built?

Last Chance Weir was completed in 1919, making it 107 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 Last Chance Weir?

Last Chance Weir serves the following purposes: Other, Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Last Chance Weir?

Last Chance Weir has a dam height of 24 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 Last Chance Weir last inspected?

Last Chance Weir was last inspected on May 26, 2022. 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.