Frenchman Dam

June 6 2023

56,078 acre-ft

Water storage levels at Frenchman Dam are currently 56,078 acre-ft, about 144% of normal. The average for this time of year is approximately 38,870.26acre-ft.

Maximum recorded Storage since record keeping began in 2003 was 2023-05-03 when levels reached 58,694 acre-ft. Lowest recorded Storage was 2015-12-02 when levels receded to 12,025 acre-ft.

Frenchman Dam is a concrete gravity-type dam located on Frenchman Lake in Plumas County, California. Its operation is managed by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The dam was constructed in 1960 as part of the Feather River Project, which aimed to provide hydroelectric power and irrigation water to the Sacramento Valley. The reservoir created by the dam has a capacity of 150,000 acre-feet and receives water from various sources, including surface flow from the Little Last Chance Creek and snowpack runoff from the surrounding mountains. The water stored in Frenchman Lake is used for both agricultural and recreational purposes, including irrigation, fishing, boating, and camping.