Sugar Pine Reservoir Report

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Sugar Pine is a vital earth dam located in Folsom, California, serving multiple purposes such as flood risk reduction, irrigation, recreation, tailings management, and water supply.


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Summary

Built in 1981, this dam stands at a height of 251 feet with a storage capacity of 6916 acre-feet and a drainage area of 9.3 square miles. Its primary purpose of flood risk reduction underscores its critical role in managing water resources in the region.

Managed by a public utility, Sugar Pine is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the safety of dams program, ensuring that it meets state inspection, enforcement, and permitting requirements. The dam poses a high hazard potential but has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with the last inspection conducted in April 2020. In case of emergencies, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) may be in place, with the last revision dated April 2019.

Situated on North Shirttail Creek, a tributary to the North Fork American River, Sugar Pine plays a crucial role in the water infrastructure of Placer County, California. With its significant hydraulic height of 219.2 feet and a surface area of 161 acres, the dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience, highlighting the importance of maintaining and monitoring such critical infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions.

Year Completed

1981

Dam Length

587

Dam Height

251

River Or Stream

North Shirttail Creek, Trib To N Fork Am Riv

Primary Dam Type

Earth

Surface Area

161

Hydraulic Height

219.2

Drainage Area

9.3

Nid Storage

6916

Hazard Potential

High

Nid Height

251
       
Seasonal Comparison

Weather Forecast

Dam Data Reference

Condition Assessment

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.