Quail

West Branch CA Aqueduct· Los Angeles, California· Built 1981· Earth· 50 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Hydroelectric State Government

Key Takeaway

Quail is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1981 and is 45 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 50 ft (taller than 59.1% in CA)
Dam Length350 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage8.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage7.4K acre-ft
Surface Area290 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Year Completed1981 (45 years old)
NID IDCA01594

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: May 10, 2023
State Regulated: No

Ownership

California Department of Water Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Quail?

Quail 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 Quail?

Quail 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 Quail built?

Quail was completed in 1981, making it 45 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 Quail?

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

How tall is Quail?

Quail has a dam height of 50 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 Quail last inspected?

Quail was last inspected on May 10, 2023. 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.