Rector Creek

Rector Creek· Napa, California· Built 1946· Earth· 164 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Irrigation State Government

Key Takeaway

Rector Creek is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1946 and is 80 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 164 ft (taller than 91.6% in CA)
Dam Length890 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.6K acre-ft
Surface Area82 acres
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Year Completed1946 (80 years old)
NID IDCA00011

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 9, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

California Department of Veteran Affairs

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rector Creek?

Rector Creek 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 Rector Creek?

Rector Creek is owned by California Department of Veteran Affairs (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rector Creek built?

Rector Creek was completed in 1946, making it 80 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 Rector Creek?

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

How tall is Rector Creek?

Rector Creek has a dam height of 164 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 Rector Creek last inspected?

Rector Creek was last inspected on November 9, 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.