Lahontan Dam

Lahontan Dam Quick Facts

Location: Churchill, Nevada
Coordinates: 39.4622, -119.0667
River: Carson River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1915
Dam Height: 120 ft (37 m)
Dam Length: 1,915 ft (584 m)
Dam Capacity: 422,800 acre-ft (521,515 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Lahontan Dam Map

Lahontan Dam Information

Lahontan Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 15 miles from Fallon, Churchill, Nevada.

The dam, which is on the Carson River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Irrigation, Recreation and Hydroelectric benefits.

The dam was designed by US Bureau of Reclamation and commissioned in 1915 and is currently owned by US Bureau of Reclamation.

Lahontan Dam Structure

The Lahontan Dam is approximately 1,915 feet (584 m) long, 120 feet (37 m) high and has a structural volume of 733,000 cubic yards (560,419 cubic metres).

Lahontan Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 317,200 acre-ft (391,260 Ml) and maximum capacity of 422,800 acre-ft (521,515 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 15,000 acres (6,070 ha) and the total catchment area is 1,903 square miles (4,929 square kilometres).

Lahontan Dam Spillway

The dam has a 400 feet (122 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 26200 cubic feet per second (742 cubic metres per second).

Lahontan Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Lahontan Dam
Churchill, Nevada
Height (ft)
120
Length (Ft)
1,915
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
422,800
Drainage Area (sq miles)
1,903
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

Lahontan Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Lahontan Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Lahontan Dam

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Lahontan Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Lahontan Dam?

Lahontan Dam is in Nevada.

In which county is the Lahontan Dam?

Lahontan Dam is in Churchill County.

How high is the Lahontan Dam?

Lahontan Dam is 120 feet high.

How long is the Lahontan Dam?

Lahontan Dam is 1,915 feet long.

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More Dams in Churchill County:

Lahontan Dam
Sheckler Dam
Stillwater Point 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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