Mammoth Reservoir

Offstream· Placer, California· Built 1851· Earth· 23 ft tall
High Hazard Other Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mammoth Reservoir is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1851 and is 175 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 23 ft (taller than 21.2% in CA)
Dam Length2,360 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage103 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1851 (175 years old)
NID IDCA00861

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: December 20, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Placer County Water Agency

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mammoth Reservoir?

Mammoth 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 Mammoth Reservoir?

Mammoth Reservoir is owned by Placer County Water Agency (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mammoth Reservoir built?

Mammoth Reservoir was completed in 1851, making it 175 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 Mammoth Reservoir?

Mammoth Reservoir 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 Mammoth Reservoir?

Mammoth Reservoir has a dam height of 23 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 Mammoth Reservoir last inspected?

Mammoth Reservoir was last inspected on December 20, 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.