Mendocino 3 Upper is a gravity dam located in Talmage, Mendocino County, California, completed in 1915 with a height of 49 feet and a storage capacity of 85 acre-feet on Middle Creek. Managed by Local Government, the dam primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction, with additional benefits for irrigation and water supply. The dam is state regulated by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for safety compliance, inspections, and enforcement, ensuring its satisfactory condition.

With a hazard potential rated as high, Mendocino 3 Upper has been assessed as satisfactory in terms of safety and condition as of September 2017. The dam is subject to regular inspections, with the last conducted in December 2020, and an emergency action plan (EAP) in place for potential risk mitigation. While no spillway or outlet gates are specified, the dam's location in a densely populated area underscores the importance of its role in flood risk reduction for the surrounding community.

As a key infrastructure for water resource management in the region, Mendocino 3 Upper stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering for flood control and water supply purposes. Its continued operation and maintenance by local authorities highlight the ongoing importance of monitoring and ensuring the safety of dams in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water demand in California.