Mendocino 3 Upper

Middle Creek· Mendocino, California· Built 1915· Gravity· 49 ft tall
High Hazard Other Irrigation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mendocino 3 Upper is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1915 and is 111 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 49 ft (taller than 57.9% in CA)
Dam Length254 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage85 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Year Completed1915 (111 years old)
NID IDCA00002

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 19, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

County of Mendocino

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mendocino 3 Upper?

Mendocino 3 Upper 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 Mendocino 3 Upper?

Mendocino 3 Upper is owned by County of Mendocino (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mendocino 3 Upper built?

Mendocino 3 Upper was completed in 1915, making it 111 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 Mendocino 3 Upper?

Mendocino 3 Upper serves the following purposes: Other, Irrigation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Mendocino 3 Upper?

Mendocino 3 Upper has a dam height of 49 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 Mendocino 3 Upper last inspected?

Mendocino 3 Upper was last inspected on October 19, 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.