Putah Diversion

PUTAH CREEK· Yolo, California· Built 1957· Concrete· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Putah Diversion is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1957 and is 69 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 9.6% in CA)
Dam Length910 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage720 acre-ft
Normal Storage720 acre-ft
Surface Area110 acres
Drainage Area40 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1957 (69 years old)
NID IDCA10180

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Putah Diversion?

Putah Diversion is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Putah Diversion?

Putah Diversion is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Putah Diversion built?

Putah Diversion was completed in 1957, making it 69 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 Putah Diversion?

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

How tall is Putah Diversion?

Putah Diversion has a dam height of 16 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.