Frenchman Dam

Frenchman Dam Quick Facts

Location: Plumas, California
Coordinates: 39.893, -120.191
River: Lit Last Chance Cr River
Primary Purpose: Water Supply
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1961
Dam Height: 139 ft (42 m)
Dam Length: 720 ft (219 m)
Dam Capacity: 55,477 acre-ft (68,430 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Satisfactory
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Frenchman Dam Map

Frenchman Dam Information

Frenchman Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 8 miles from Chilcoot, Plumas, California.

The dam, which is on the Lit Last Chance Cr River, was primarily built for Water Supply purposes, but also serves for Irrigation and Recreation benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1961 and is currently owned by California Department of Water Resources.

Frenchman Dam Structure

The Frenchman Dam is approximately 720 feet (219 m) long, 139 feet (42 m) high and has a structural volume of 537,000 cubic yards (410,566 cubic metres).

Frenchman Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of acre-ft (0 Ml) and maximum capacity of 55,477 acre-ft (68,430 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 1,580 acres (639 ha) and the total catchment area is 82 square miles (212 square kilometres).

Frenchman Dam Spillway

According to the latest available data, the Frenchman Dam does not have any spillways.

Frenchman Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Frenchman Dam
Plumas, California
Height (ft)
139
Length (Ft)
720
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
55,477
Drainage Area (sq miles)
82
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

Frenchman Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Frenchman Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 22:06
Sunrise 07:11
Sunset 18:20
Temperature (°F) 54
Feels Like (°F) 52
Cloud Coverage (%) 2
Pressure (inHg) 1017
Humidity (%) 63
Wind Speed (mph) 6
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Frenchman 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 45 76 69 1016 21 17 17 WSW 0 - clear sky
Wed 42 55 53 1013 67 11 19 WSW 100 5 moderate rain
Thu 32 54 51 1007 42 20 27 WSW 100 3 rain and snow
Fri 25 45 35 1023 40 10 17 N 0 - clear sky
Sat 31 53 45 1024 21 6 6 NE 0 - clear sky
Sun 41 68 55 1019 32 12 17 WSW 0 - scattered clouds
Mon 42 66 53 1017 30 12 16 W 0 - scattered clouds
Tue 43 68 57 1018 32 8 12 WNW 0 - broken clouds

Frenchman Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Frenchman Dam?

Frenchman Dam is in California.

In which county is the Frenchman Dam?

Frenchman Dam is in Plumas County.

How high is the Frenchman Dam?

Frenchman Dam is 139 feet high.

How long is the Frenchman Dam?

Frenchman Dam is 720 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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