Upper Blue Lake Dam, California, USA

Quick Facts About Upper Blue Lake Dam

Location: Alpine, California
Coordinates: 38.628132, -119.940604
River: Blue Creek River
Primary Purpose: Hydroelectric
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1901
Dam Height: 21 ft (6 m)
Dam Length: 786 ft (240 m)
Dam Capacity: 7,300 acre-ft (9,004 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available

Upper Blue Lake Dam Map

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Upper Blue Lake Dam Information

Upper Blue Lake Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 9 miles from Kirkwood, Alpine, California.

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

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1901 and is currently owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Upper Blue Lake Dam Structure

The Upper Blue Lake Dam is approximately 786 feet (240 m) long, 21 feet (6 m) high and has a structural volume of cubic yards (0 cubic metres).

Upper Blue Lake Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 6,759 acre-ft (8,337 Ml) and maximum capacity of 7,300 acre-ft (9,004 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 333 acres (135 ha) and the total catchment area is 3 square miles (7 square kilometres).

Upper Blue Lake Dam Spillway

The dam has a 51 feet (16 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 1400 cubic feet per second (40 cubic metres per second).

Upper Blue Lake Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

Upper Blue Lake Dam
Alpine, California
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft) 21 730 550 357 216
Length (Ft) 786 1,244 5,673 6,920 1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft) 7,300 30,237,000 9,562,000 3,540,000 29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles) 3 167,800 74,100 3,611 108,355

Upper Blue Lake Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Upper Blue Lake Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Upper Blue Lake Dam

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Upper Blue Lake Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Upper Blue Lake Dam?

Upper Blue Lake Dam is in California.

In which county is the Upper Blue Lake Dam?

Upper Blue Lake Dam is in Alpine County.

How high is the Upper Blue Lake Dam?

Upper Blue Lake Dam is 21 feet high.

How long is the Upper Blue Lake Dam?

Upper Blue Lake Dam is 786 feet long.

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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