Puu Lua Reservoir

TR-HAELELE STREAM OFFSTREAM· Kauai, Hawaii· Built 1925· Earth· 105 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Puu Lua Reservoir is classified as high hazard in Hawaii. It was completed in 1925 and is 101 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. 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 105 ft (taller than 98.4% in HI)
Dam Length640 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage888 acre-ft
Normal Storage844 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1925 (101 years old)
NID IDHI00002

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: November 4, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DLNR

Ownership

Hawaii Dept of Land & Natural Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Puu Lua Reservoir?

Puu Lua 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 Puu Lua Reservoir?

Puu Lua Reservoir is owned by Hawaii Dept of Land & Natural Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Puu Lua Reservoir built?

Puu Lua Reservoir was completed in 1925, making it 101 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 Puu Lua Reservoir?

Puu Lua Reservoir serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Puu Lua Reservoir?

Puu Lua Reservoir has a dam height of 105 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 Puu Lua Reservoir last inspected?

Puu Lua Reservoir was last inspected on November 4, 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.