Pond 3

San Joaquin, California· Earth· 80 ft tall
High Hazard Other Tailings Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Pond 3 is classified as high hazard in California. 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 80 ft (taller than 76.2% in CA)
Dam Length900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.2K acre-ft
NID IDCA01578

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: No
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Knife River

Private

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pond 3?

Pond 3 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 Pond 3?

Pond 3 is owned by Knife River (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Pond 3?

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

How tall is Pond 3?

Pond 3 has a dam height of 80 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.

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.