Scott Lake, also known as Lake Pillsbury, is a privately owned hydroelectric reservoir located in Dos Rios, California. Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, this concrete gravity dam stands at 138 feet tall and was completed in 1921. With a storage capacity of 80,600 acre-feet and a surface area of 2,280 acres, Scott Lake serves as a critical water resource in the region, drawing from the Eel River with a maximum discharge of 135,000 cubic feet per second.

The dam's spillway is controlled and 402 feet wide, while the outlet gates include slide and tainter gates. Despite its high hazard potential, Scott Lake has not undergone a recent condition assessment. Emergency action plans are in place, but the risk assessment remains very high. The dam's location within a high-risk area emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of downstream communities. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Scott Lake a fascinating case study of a historic dam with significant implications for water management and safety regulations.