Lower Kapahi Reservoir

TR-KAPAA STREAM OFFSTREAM· Kauai, Hawaii· Built 1920· Earth· 20 ft tall
High Hazard Other Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lower Kapahi Reservoir is classified as high hazard in Hawaii. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 years old. Its primary use is other. 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 20 ft (taller than 10.2% in HI)
Dam Length650 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage194 acre-ft
Normal Storage144 acre-ft
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
NID IDHI00061

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: October 14, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DLNR

Ownership

County of Kauai - Department of Public Works, Hawaii Dept of Land & Natural Resources

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lower Kapahi Reservoir?

Lower Kapahi Reservoir 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 Lower Kapahi Reservoir?

Lower Kapahi Reservoir is owned by County of Kauai - Department of Public Works, Hawaii Dept of Land & Natural Resources (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lower Kapahi Reservoir built?

Lower Kapahi Reservoir was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 Lower Kapahi Reservoir?

Lower Kapahi Reservoir serves the following purposes: Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lower Kapahi Reservoir?

Lower Kapahi Reservoir has a dam height of 20 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 Lower Kapahi Reservoir last inspected?

Lower Kapahi Reservoir was last inspected on October 14, 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.