Long Valley

Owens River· Mono, California· Built 1941· Earth· 126 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Recreation Hydroelectric Local Government

Key Takeaway

Long Valley is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1941 and is 85 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 126 ft (taller than 86.9% in CA)
Dam Length595 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage183.5K acre-ft
Surface Area5,280 acres
Drainage Area437 sq mi
Year Completed1941 (85 years old)
NID IDCA00090

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: November 18, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

City of Los Angeles Department of Water And Power

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Long Valley?

Long Valley 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 Long Valley?

Long Valley is owned by City of Los Angeles Department of Water And Power (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Long Valley built?

Long Valley was completed in 1941, making it 85 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 Long Valley?

Long Valley serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Recreation, Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Long Valley?

Long Valley has a dam height of 126 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 Long Valley last inspected?

Long Valley was last inspected on November 18, 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.