Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle
Key Takeaway
Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 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 | 47 ft (taller than 56.2% in CA) |
| Dam Length | 2,270 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 3.5M acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3.5M acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15,800 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,611 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
| NID ID | CA00035 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
California Department of Water Resources
State Government
Nearby Dams
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Low Hazard 61 ftCannon Ranch
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Significant Hazard 17 ftThermalito Forebay
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High Hazard 91 ftLake Madrone
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High Hazard 37 ftA. L. Chaffin
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Low Hazard 65 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle?
Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle 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 Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle?
Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle is owned by California Department of Water Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle built?
Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle?
Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation, Recreation, Hydroelectric, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle?
Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle has a dam height of 47 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 Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle last inspected?
Bidwell Bar Canyon Saddle was last inspected on June 6, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.