Butt Valley Dam

Butt Valley Dam Quick Facts

Location: Plumas, California
Coordinates: 40.1151, -121.1457
River: Butt Creek River
Primary Purpose: Hydroelectric
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1924
Dam Height: 70 ft (21 m)
Dam Length: 1,520 ft (463 m)
Dam Capacity: 49,897 acre-ft (61,547 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Butt Valley Dam Map

Butt Valley Dam Information

Butt Valley Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 11 miles from Little Haven, Plumas, California.

The dam, which is on the Butt Creek River, was primarily built for Hydroelectric purposes, but also serves for benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1924 and is currently owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Butt Valley Dam Structure

The Butt Valley Dam is approximately 1,520 feet (463 m) long, 70 feet (21 m) high and has a structural volume of 440,000 cubic yards (336,404 cubic metres).

Butt Valley Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 49,800 acre-ft (61,427 Ml) and maximum capacity of 49,897 acre-ft (61,547 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 1,600 acres (647 ha) and the total catchment area is 84 square miles (216 square kilometres).

Butt Valley Dam Spillway

The dam has a 150 feet (46 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 30000 cubic feet per second (850 cubic metres per second).

Butt Valley Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Butt Valley Dam
Plumas, California
Height (ft)
70
Length (Ft)
1,520
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
49,897
Drainage Area (sq miles)
84
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Butt Valley Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Butt Valley Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 20:22
Sunrise 07:15
Sunset 18:24
Temperature (°F) 57
Feels Like (°F) 56
Cloud Coverage (%) 49
Pressure (inHg) 1017
Humidity (%) 67
Wind Speed (mph) 4
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Butt Valley Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 42 78 75 1016 21 9 10 SW 0 - clear sky
Wed 43 62 54 1015 88 8 12 WSW 100 6 moderate rain
Thu 33 55 49 1009 73 10 21 N 100 4 light rain
Fri 24 59 49 1020 16 9 16 NE 0 - clear sky
Sat 32 68 53 1023 15 6 11 NE 0 - clear sky
Sun 39 70 63 1019 27 8 10 SW 0 - few clouds
Mon 38 69 59 1017 23 6 11 SW 0 - few clouds
Tue 38 74 63 1019 31 6 9 WSW 0 - scattered clouds

Butt Valley Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Butt Valley Dam?

Butt Valley Dam is in California.

In which county is the Butt Valley Dam?

Butt Valley Dam is in Plumas County.

How high is the Butt Valley Dam?

Butt Valley Dam is 70 feet high.

How long is the Butt Valley Dam?

Butt Valley Dam is 1,520 feet long.

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More Dams in Plumas County:

Antelope Dam
Bidwell Lake Dam
Bucks Lake Dam
Butt Valley Dam
Frenchman Dam
Grizzly Valley Dam
Lake Almanor Dam
Little Grass Valley Dam
Lower Bucks Lake Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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