Key Takeaways
- California is home to some of the largest dams in the world by storage capacity, including Shasta Dam, Oroville Dam, New Melones Dam, Trinity Dam, and Don Pedro Main Dam.
- These dams serve multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, flood control, recreation, and water supply.
- Many of California’s largest dams by storage capacity were constructed in the mid-20th century to meet the state’s growing demand for water and electricity.
- Shasta Dam, the largest dam in California by storage capacity, is a concrete gravity dam located on the Sacramento River in Shasta County.
- Oroville Dam, the tallest dam in the United States, is an earth and rockfill dam on the Feather River in Butte County.
Introduction
As a civil engineer with a master’s degree in hydraulics, I have had the privilege of exploring and researching some of the most remarkable engineering marvels around the world. Today, I want to share my knowledge and experiences of the 10 largest dams in California by storage capacity, a state that has long been at the forefront of dam construction and water management. If you’re just looking for the list of largest dams in California, here it is along with a graph:
List of Largest Dams in California
- Shasta Dam, Shasta County – 4,661,860 acre-feet
- Oroville Dam, Butte County – 3,540,000 acre-feet
- New Melones Dam, Calaveras County – 2,870,000 acre-feet
- Trinity Dam, Trinity County – 2,760,870 acre-feet
- Don Pedro Main Dam, Tuolumne County – 2,300,000 acre-feet
- B. F. Sisk Dam, Merced County – 2,118,380 acre-feet
- Monticello Dam, Napa County – 1,854,819 acre-feet
- Isabella Dam, Kern County – 1,202,000 acre-feet
- Lake Almanor Dam, Plumas County – 1,142,964 acre-feet
- Exchequer Main Dam, Mariposa County – 1,100,000 acre-feet
- Pine Flat Dam, Fresno County – 1,091,700 acre-feet
- New Bullards Bar Dam, Yuba County – 1,010,000 acre-feet
Graph of California’s Largest Dams by Storage Capacity
In a region that experiences both droughts and floods, dams have played a crucial role in regulating water resources, generating hydroelectric power, and providing a range of benefits to California’s communities and industries. From the massive storage capacity of Shasta Dam to the impressive height of Oroville Dam, these structures are a testament to human ingenuity, determination, and the relentless pursuit of harnessing nature for our needs.
Shasta Dam, located on the Sacramento River about 9 miles from Redding in Shasta County, is undoubtedly the largest dam in California by storage capacity. Constructed by the US Bureau of Reclamation between 1938 and 1945, this concrete gravity dam has a storage capacity of over 4.5 million acre-feet.
Standing at a staggering 770 feet, Oroville Dam is the tallest dam in the United States and the second-largest dam in California by storage capacity. This earth and rockfill dam, constructed by the California Department of Water Resources between 1961 and 1968, is located on the Feather River about 3 miles from Oroville in Butte County. Oroville Dam has a storage capacity of over 3.5 million acre-feet.
New Melones Dam is a rockfill earth dam located in Calaveras County, standing 578 feet tall on the Stanislaus River. With a storage capacity of over 2.8 million acre-feet, New Melones Dam is the third-largest dam in California by storage capacity.
Trinity Dam, located in Trinity County, is an earthen embankment dam standing 458 feet tall on the Trinity River. With a storage capacity of over 2.4 million acre-feet, Trinity Dam is the fourth-largest dam in California by storage capacity.
Don Pedro Main Dam, located on the Tuolumne River about 4 miles from La Grange in Tuolumne County, is an earth and rockfill dam standing 585 feet tall. With a storage capacity of over 2.3 million acre-feet, Don Pedro Main Dam is the fifth-largest dam in California by storage capacity.
B. F. Sisk Dam, an earthen embankment dam located in Merced County, stands 305 feet tall on the San Luis Creek River. With a storage capacity of over 2 million acre-feet, B. F. Sisk Dam is the ninth-largest dam in California by storage capacity.
Monticello Dam, a concrete arch dam located in Napa County, stands 255 feet tall on the Putah Creek River. With a storage capacity of over 1.6 million acre-feet, Monticello Dam is the eighth-largest dam in California by storage capacity.
Isabella Dam, also known as Isabella Lake Dam, is an earthen embankment dam situated approximately 1 mile from Bodfish, Kern, California, along the Kern River. The dam has a storage capacity of 1,202,000 acre-feet. Owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers – Sacramento District, the dam was primarily constructed for flood risk reduction, but it also serves purposes such as irrigation, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation.
Completed in 1953, the dam stands at a height of 98 feet (30 meters) and has a maximum discharge capacity of 53,000 cubic feet per second (1,501 cubic meters per second) through its uncontrolled spillway, which is 140 feet (43 meters) wide. Isabella Dam plays a crucial role in managing the Kern River’s water flow, safeguarding against flooding, and supporting various beneficial uses for the surrounding region.
Lake Almanor Dam, situated approximately 5 miles from Seneca, Plumas, California, on the North Fork Feather River, is an earthen embankment dam owned by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The dam has a storage capacity of 1,142,964 acre-feet. Constructed in 1927, the dam stands at a height of 90 feet (27 meters) and primarily serves hydroelectric purposes. With a width of 500 feet (152 meters), the dam’s uncontrolled spillway has a maximum discharge capacity of 70,000 cubic feet per second (1,982 cubic meters per second). Lake Almanor Dam plays a crucial role in supporting hydroelectric power generation and stands as an important infrastructure on the North Fork Feather River.
Exchequer Main Dam, located about 15 miles from Snelling, Mariposa, California, on the Merced River, is a rockfill earth dam owned by the Merced Irrigation District. The dam has a storage capacity of 1,100,000 acre-feet. Completed in 1966, the dam stands at 490 feet (149 meters) and primarily serves for hydroelectric power generation. Beyond its main purpose, Exchequer Main Dam provides storage capacity for fire protection, stock, small fish ponds, irrigation, fish and wildlife habitats, recreation, and flood risk reduction. With a controlled spillway width of 1360 feet (415 meters), the dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 531,600 cubic feet per second (15,053 cubic meters per second). This crucial water management infrastructure supports a variety of uses along the Merced River while contributing to flood control and water storage.
Pine Flat Dam, a gravity dam located in Fresno County, stands 440 feet tall on the Kings River. With a storage capacity of over 1,091,700 acre-feet, Pine Flat Dam is the tenth-largest dam in California by storage capacity.
New Bullards Bar Dam, located in Yuba County, is a concrete arch dam standing 645 feet tall on the North Yuba River. With a storage capacity of over 1,010,000 acre-feet, New Bullards Bar Dam is the seventh-largest dam in California by storage capacity.
These dams, along with many others throughout the state, have played a vital role in shaping California’s landscape and supporting its growing population and industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the purposes of California’s largest dams by storage capacity?
The primary purposes of California’s largest dams by storage capacity include hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, flood control, recreation, and water supply. Many dams serve multiple purposes, providing a range of benefits to local communities and industries.
When were most of California’s largest dams by storage capacity constructed?
Many of California’s largest dams by storage capacity were constructed in the mid-20th century, with several notable dams built between the 1930s and 1970s. This period saw a significant increase in dam construction to meet the state’s growing demand for water and electricity.
What is the largest dam in California by storage capacity?
Shasta Dam, located on the Sacramento River in Shasta County, is the largest dam in California by storage capacity, with a storage capacity of over 4.5 million acre-feet.
What is the tallest dam in California?
The Oroville Dam, located on the Feather River in Butte County, is the tallest dam in California and the United States, standing at an impressive 770 feet tall. However, it is the second-largest dam in California by storage capacity.
Are there any unique features of California’s largest dams by storage capacity?
Yes, some of California’s largest dams by storage capacity have unique features that set them apart. For example, New Melones Dam and Trinity Dam have uncontrolled spillways, while the Lake Tahoe Dam is classified as a buttress concrete other dam, which is a less common design.
Remember, safety is always the top priority when it comes to dams. It’s important to follow all safety guidelines when visiting or exploring these engineering marvels. Stay safe, and enjoy the wonders of California’s largest dams by storage capacity!