Little Panoche Detention

LITTLE PANOCHE CREEK· Fresno, California· Built 1966· Earth· 151 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Little Panoche Detention is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 151 ft (taller than 90.2% in CA)
Dam Length1,440 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage13.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage5.6K acre-ft
Surface Area188 acres
Drainage Area101 sq mi
Max Discharge3,220 cfs
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)
NID IDCA10166

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: March 4, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Little Panoche Detention?

Little Panoche Detention 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 Little Panoche Detention?

Little Panoche Detention is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Little Panoche Detention built?

Little Panoche Detention was completed in 1966, making it 60 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 Little Panoche Detention?

Little Panoche Detention serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Little Panoche Detention?

Little Panoche Detention has a dam height of 151 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 Little Panoche Detention last inspected?

Little Panoche Detention was last inspected on March 4, 2020. 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.