List of dam removals in California

Last updated

The 2024 removal of the Iron Gate Dam, part of the Klamath River restoration, the largest dam removal project in history. Iron Gate Dam removal.jpg
The 2024 removal of the Iron Gate Dam, part of the Klamath River restoration, the largest dam removal project in history.
The 2011 breaching of the Dream Lake Dam in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Dream Lake dam breaching (8288854192).jpg
The 2011 breaching of the Dream Lake Dam in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

This is a list of dams in California that have been removed as physical impediments to free-flowing rivers or streams.

Contents

Removals by watershed

Carmel River

Owned by California American Water, the San Clemente Dam on the Carmel River was deemed unsafe in 1992 by the Department of Water Resources. It was no longer serving its use by supplying water to the Monterey Peninsula and blocked steelhead from spawning upstream. It was demolished in 2015. [1] Similarly, the Old Carmel River Dam was demolished in 2016.

Eel River

Proposed removals

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company has operated two hydroelectric dams on the Eel River as part of the Potter Valley Project: Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam. In 2023 the company applied to demolish the dams amid growing issues with maintenance, environmental compliance, and seismic liability. The project would drain Lake Pillsbury and Lake Van Arsdale, making the Eel the longest free-flowing river in California and restoring hundreds of miles of habitat for endangered fish. [2]

Klamath River

After more than 20 years of advocacy from the Un-Dam the Klamath movement, the four dams on the Lower Klamath River were removed in 2023 and 2024. Three of these were in California: Iron Gate Dam, Copco Number 1 Dam, and Copco Number 2 Dam. The removals are expected to improve salmon passage. As of 2025 this is considered the largest dam removal project in history. [3] [4]

San Joaquin River

Proposed removals

Completed in 1923, O'Shaughnessy Dam is a 430-foot-high (131 m) concrete arch-gravity dam on the Tuolumne River, a tributary of the San Joaquin River, flooding Hetch Hetchy Valley within Yosemite National Park. [5] Considered the first great environmental controversy in the United States when constructed, O'Shaughnessy Dam continues to be controversial. Environmental groups such as the Sierra Club lobby for breaching the dam and restoring the valley, while others argue that leaving the dam in place would be the better economic and environmental decision. [6]

San Juan Creek and Santa Ana River

The Trabuco District Dam Removal Project is an initiative of the Cleveland National Forest to remove over 80 dams on four streams: San Juan Creek and its tributaries Holy Jim Creek and Trabuco Creek, as well as Silverado Creek, a tributary of the Santa Ana River. The "fish check dams" were originally built to create pools for a stocked rainbow trout fishery and to store water for conservation and fire suppression. The removals are intended to improve passage of fish and other aquatic species. [7] [8]

Completed removals

Dam [9] HeightYear removedLocationWatercourseWatershed
Roy's Dam2020 San Geronimo Creek Tomales Bay
Rogers Dam40 ft (12 m)1983 Point Reyes Station
38°02′49″N122°47′13″W / 38.0469°N 122.787°W / 38.0469; -122.787 (Rogers Dam) 		Tributary to Olema Creek
North Debris Dam20 ft (6.1 m)2002Tributary to Los Angeles River Los Angeles River
Trancas Debris Dam15 ft (4.6 m)2002Tributary to Trancas Creek Trancas Creek
HJFD12.5 ft (0.76 m)2018 Orange County
33°40′45″N117°31′02″W / 33.6793°N 117.5172°W / 33.6793; -117.5172 (HJFD1) 		Holy Jim Creek San Juan Creek
HJFD24 ft (1.2 m)2018 Orange County
33°40′50″N117°31′02″W / 33.6805°N 117.5173°W / 33.6805; -117.5173 (HJFD2)
HJFD33 ft (0.91 m)2019 Orange County
33°40′58″N117°30′57″W / 33.6827°N 117.5159°W / 33.6827; -117.5159 (HJFD3)
HJFD42 ft (0.61 m)2019 Orange County
33°40′58″N117°30′57″W / 33.6829°N 117.5159°W / 33.6829; -117.5159 (HJFD4)
HJFD55 ft (1.5 m)2019 Orange County
33°40′59″N117°30′57″W / 33.683°N 117.5159°W / 33.683; -117.5159 (HJFD5)
HJFD62.3 ft (0.70 m)2014 Orange County
33°41′00″N117°30′58″W / 33.6833°N 117.516°W / 33.6833; -117.516 (HJFD6)
HJFD72.5 ft (0.76 m)2014 Orange County
33°41′00″N117°30′58″W / 33.6833°N 117.516°W / 33.6833; -117.516 (HJFD7)
HJFD85 ft (1.5 m)2014 Orange County
33°41′01″N117°30′58″W / 33.6835°N 117.516°W / 33.6835; -117.516 (HJFD8)
HJFD92.3 ft (0.70 m)2014 Orange County
33°41′01″N117°30′58″W / 33.6837°N 117.516°W / 33.6837; -117.516 (HJFD9)
HJFD101.5 ft (0.46 m)2014 Orange County
33°41′01″N117°30′58″W / 33.6837°N 117.516°W / 33.6837; -117.516 (HJFD10)
HJFD111 ft (0.30 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′02″N117°30′54″W / 33.6838°N 117.5151°W / 33.6838; -117.5151 (HJFD11)
HJFD159.3 ft (2.8 m)2017 Orange County
33°41′17″N117°30′45″W / 33.6881°N 117.5125°W / 33.6881; -117.5125 (HJFD15)
HJFD162 ft (0.61 m)2017 Orange County
33°41′20″N117°30′43″W / 33.6888°N 117.5119°W / 33.6888; -117.5119 (HJFD16)
HJFD174 ft (1.2 m)2017 Orange County
33°41′20″N117°30′43″W / 33.6888°N 117.5119°W / 33.6888; -117.5119 (HJFD17)
HJFD183.5 ft (1.1 m)2017 Orange County
33°41′20″N117°30′42″W / 33.689°N 117.5118°W / 33.689; -117.5118 (HJFD18)
HJFD192.5 ft (0.76 m)2017 Orange County
33°41′21″N117°30′42″W / 33.6891°N 117.5117°W / 33.6891; -117.5117 (HJFD19)
HJFD217.5–4.0 ft (2.3–1.2 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′27″N117°30′42″W / 33.6907°N 117.5118°W / 33.6907; -117.5118 (HJFD21)
HJFD225 ft (1.5 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′27″N117°30′42″W / 33.6909°N 117.5118°W / 33.6909; -117.5118 (HJFD22)
HJFD233.0–0.0 ft (0.91–0.00 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′28″N117°30′42″W / 33.6911°N 117.5118°W / 33.6911; -117.5118 (HJFD23)
HJFD254 ft (1.2 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′29″N117°30′42″W / 33.6915°N 117.5116°W / 33.6915; -117.5116 (HJFD25)
HJFD266.0–0.0 ft (1.8–0.0 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′30″N117°30′41″W / 33.6916°N 117.5115°W / 33.6916; -117.5115 (HJFD26)
HJFD296 ft (1.8 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′32″N117°30′44″W / 33.6922°N 117.5121°W / 33.6922; -117.5121 (HJFD29)
HJFD304 ft (1.2 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′32″N117°30′44″W / 33.6922°N 117.5121°W / 33.6922; -117.5121 (HJFD30)
HJFD316.0–0.0 ft (1.8–0.0 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′32″N117°30′44″W / 33.6923°N 117.5123°W / 33.6923; -117.5123 (HJFD31)
HJFD329.5–4.0 ft (2.9–1.2 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′33″N117°30′46″W / 33.6925°N 117.5127°W / 33.6925; -117.5127 (HJFD32)
HJFD336.8–0.0 ft (2.1–0.0 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′34″N117°30′46″W / 33.6928°N 117.5129°W / 33.6928; -117.5129 (HJFD33)
HJFD347.0–3.0 ft (2.13–0.91 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′34″N117°30′48″W / 33.6928°N 117.5132°W / 33.6928; -117.5132 (HJFD34)
HJFD34.1/352018 Orange County
33°41′34″N117°30′48″W / 33.6928°N 117.5132°W / 33.6928; -117.5132 (HJFD34.1/35)
HJFD373 ft (0.91 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′35″N117°30′49″W / 33.693°N 117.5136°W / 33.693; -117.5136 (HJFD37)
HJFD402.6 ft (0.79 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′36″N117°30′51″W / 33.6934°N 117.5142°W / 33.6934; -117.5142 (HJFD40)
HJFD412.8 ft (0.85 m)2018 Orange County
33°41′37″N117°30′51″W / 33.6935°N 117.5142°W / 33.6935; -117.5142 (HJFD41)
SJFD19 ft (2.7 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′25″N117°30′06″W / 33.5902°N 117.5018°W / 33.5902; -117.5018 (SJFD1) 		San Juan Creek
SJFD22.5 ft (0.76 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′25″N117°30′06″W / 33.5903°N 117.5018°W / 33.5903; -117.5018 (SJFD2)
SJFD32.5–6 ft (0.76–1.83 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′25″N117°30′06″W / 33.5904°N 117.5017°W / 33.5904; -117.5017 (SJFD3)
SJFD45.0–9.0 ft (1.5–2.7 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′26″N117°30′06″W / 33.5905°N 117.5017°W / 33.5905; -117.5017 (SJFD4)
SJFD54.0–5.0 ft (1.2–1.5 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′27″N117°30′05″W / 33.5908°N 117.5015°W / 33.5908; -117.5015 (SJFD5)
SJFD60–3.4 ft (0.0–1.0 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′27″N117°30′05″W / 33.5908°N 117.5015°W / 33.5908; -117.5015 (SJFD6)
SJFD74.8 ft (1.5 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′27″N117°30′04″W / 33.5909°N 117.501°W / 33.5909; -117.501 (SJFD7)
SJFD93.0–4.5 ft (0.91–1.37 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′27″N117°30′01″W / 33.5908°N 117.5002°W / 33.5908; -117.5002 (SJFD9)
SJFD102.0–3.0 ft (0.61–0.91 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′27″N117°30′00″W / 33.5907°N 117.4999°W / 33.5907; -117.4999 (SJFD10)
SJFD111.0–5.0 ft (0.30–1.52 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′26″N117°29′59″W / 33.5906°N 117.4998°W / 33.5906; -117.4998 (SJFD11)
SJFD1210 ft (3.0 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′26″N117°29′59″W / 33.5906°N 117.4996°W / 33.5906; -117.4996 (SJFD12)
SJFD132 ft (0.61 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′27″N117°29′56″W / 33.5907°N 117.499°W / 33.5907; -117.499 (SJFD13)
SJFD1412 ft (3.7 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′33″N117°29′50″W / 33.5926°N 117.4973°W / 33.5926; -117.4973 (SJFD14)
SJFD154 ft (1.2 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′34″N117°29′46″W / 33.5928°N 117.4962°W / 33.5928; -117.4962 (SJFD15)
SJFD172 ft (0.61 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′34″N117°28′18″W / 33.5927°N 117.4716°W / 33.5927; -117.4716 (SJFD17)
SJFD183 ft (0.91 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′33″N117°28′24″W / 33.5925°N 117.4734°W / 33.5925; -117.4734 (SJFD18)
SJFD196 ft (1.8 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′33″N117°28′30″W / 33.5925°N 117.4749°W / 33.5925; -117.4749 (SJFD19)
SJFD2010 ft (3.0 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′34″N117°28′31″W / 33.5929°N 117.4753°W / 33.5929; -117.4753 (SJFD20)
SJFD213 ft (0.91 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′32″N117°28′15″W / 33.5921°N 117.4709°W / 33.5921; -117.4709 (SJFD21)
SJFD222 ft (0.61 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′32″N117°28′15″W / 33.5921°N 117.4708°W / 33.5921; -117.4708 (SJFD22)
SJFD2313 ft (4.0 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′39″N117°28′05″W / 33.5942°N 117.4681°W / 33.5942; -117.4681 (SJFD23)
SJFD245 ft (1.5 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′32″N117°28′15″W / 33.5921°N 117.4708°W / 33.5921; -117.4708 (SJFD24)
SJFD252 ft (0.61 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′39″N117°28′05″W / 33.5942°N 117.4681°W / 33.5942; -117.4681 (SJFD25)
SJFD265 ft (1.5 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′38″N117°28′00″W / 33.5938°N 117.4667°W / 33.5938; -117.4667 (SJFD26)
SJFD275 ft (1.5 m)2019 Orange County
33°35′37″N117°27′59″W / 33.5937°N 117.4663°W / 33.5937; -117.4663 (SJFD27)
SJFD284.5–5.0 ft (1.4–1.5 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′50″N117°27′45″W / 33.5973°N 117.4624°W / 33.5973; -117.4624 (SJFD28)
SJFD291.5–2.0 ft (0.46–0.61 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′52″N117°27′42″W / 33.5978°N 117.4618°W / 33.5978; -117.4618 (SJFD29)
SJFD302.5 ft (0.76 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′53″N117°27′41″W / 33.598°N 117.4615°W / 33.598; -117.4615 (SJFD30)
SJFD314.0–4.5 ft (1.2–1.4 m)2018 Orange County
33°35′57″N117°27′41″W / 33.5993°N 117.4614°W / 33.5993; -117.4614 (SJFD31)
TCFD76 ft (1.8 m)2014 Orange County
33°40′27″N117°31′34″W / 33.6742°N 117.526°W / 33.6742; -117.526 (TCFD7) 		Trabuco Creek
TCFD99 ft (2.7 m)2014 Orange County
33°40′28″N117°31′30″W / 33.6744°N 117.525°W / 33.6744; -117.525 (TCFD9)
TCFD102.5 ft (0.76 m)2014 Orange County
33°40′28″N117°31′30″W / 33.6744°N 117.525°W / 33.6744; -117.525 (TCFD10)
TCFD116.5 ft (2.0 m)2014 Orange County
33°40′28″N117°31′30″W / 33.6745°N 117.525°W / 33.6745; -117.525 (TCFD11)
TCFD116.5 ft (2.0 m)2018 Orange County
33°40′28″N117°31′30″W / 33.6744°N 117.5251°W / 33.6744; -117.5251 (TCFD11)
SCFD410 ft (3.0 m)2019 Orange County
33°45′07″N117°34′31″W / 33.75193°N 117.57539°W / 33.75193; -117.57539 (SCFD4) 		Silverado Creek Santa Ana River
SCFD53 ft (0.91 m)2019 Orange County
33°45′08″N117°34′30″W / 33.75209°N 117.57513°W / 33.75209; -117.57513 (SCFD5)
SCFD76.5 ft (2.0 m)2017 Orange County
33°45′05″N117°34′16″W / 33.7514°N 117.5711°W / 33.7514; -117.5711 (SCFD7)
SCFD86.5 ft (2.0 m)2017 Orange County
33°45′06″N117°34′16″W / 33.7517°N 117.571°W / 33.7517; -117.571 (SCFD8)
SCFD107.5 ft (2.3 m)2017 Orange County
33°45′07″N117°34′14″W / 33.7519°N 117.5705°W / 33.7519; -117.5705 (SCFD10)
SCFD124 ft (1.2 m)2017 Orange County
33°45′08″N117°34′05″W / 33.7522°N 117.5681°W / 33.7522; -117.5681 (SCFD12)
Glenbrook Gulch Dam10 ft (3.0 m)2010 Mendocino County
39°15′55″N123°40′08″W / 39.2653°N 123.669°W / 39.2653; -123.669 (Glenbrook Gulch Dam) 		Glenbrook Gulch Albion River
Unknown2014 Irmulco
39°25′14″N123°30′07″W / 39.4205°N 123.502°W / 39.4205; -123.502 (Unknown) 		Olds Creek Noyo River
D.B. Fields/Johnson Dam1946 Mendocino County
39°17′42″N123°23′56″W / 39.2951°N 123.399°W / 39.2951; -123.399 (D.B. Fields/Johnson Dam) 		Rice Creek Big River
McGowan Dam6 ft (1.8 m)1998 Butte Creek Butte Creek
Western Canal East Dam10 ft (3.0 m)1998
Western Canal Main Dam10 ft (3.0 m)1998
McPherrin Dam12 ft (3.7 m)1998 Biggs
39°26′48″N121°52′26″W / 39.4467°N 121.874°W / 39.4467; -121.874 (McPherrin Dam)
Old Carmel River Dam32 ft (9.8 m)2016 Monterey
36°26′20″N121°42′17″W / 36.4388°N 121.7048°W / 36.4388; -121.7048 (Old Carmel River Dam) 		Carmel River Carmel River
San Clemente Dam 106 ft (32 m)2015 Monterey County
36°26′09″N121°42′32″W / 36.4359°N 121.7088°W / 36.4359; -121.7088 (San Clemente Dam)
Pennington Creek Dam2018 San Luis Obispo
35°20′37″N120°43′58″W / 35.3436°N 120.7328°W / 35.3436; -120.7328 (Pennington Creek Dam) 		Pennington Creek Morro Bay
Upper Dam (Lost Man Dam)7 ft (2.1 m)1989 41°19′45″N124°01′19″W / 41.3291°N 124.0219°W / 41.3291; -124.0219 (Upper Dam (Lost Man Dam)) Lost Man Creek Redwood Creek
Sweasey Dam55 ft (17 m)1970 Arcata
40°49′11″N123°57′22″W / 40.8196°N 123.956°W / 40.8196; -123.956 (Sweasey Dam) 		Mad River Mad River
East Mill Creek Barrier12 ft (3.7 m)2008 Humboldt County
40°19′17″N124°16′23″W / 40.3215°N 124.273°W / 40.3215; -124.273 (East Mill Creek Barrier) 		East Mill Creek Mattole River
Cahill Dam8 ft (2.4 m)2013 Santa Cruz
37°02′17″N121°59′10″W / 37.038°N 121.986°W / 37.038; -121.986 (Cahill Dam) 		Branciforte Creek Monterey Bay
Tucker Road Ford5 ft (1.5 m)2006 Los Gatos
37°06′00″N121°57′29″W / 37.0999°N 121.958°W / 37.0999; -121.958 (Tucker Road Ford) 		Soquel Creek Monterey Bay
Crocker Creek Dam30 ft (9.1 m)2002 Cloverdale
38°46′38″N122°57′32″W / 38.7771°N 122.959°W / 38.7771; -122.959 (Crocker Creek Dam) 		Crocker Creek Russian River
Camp Meeker Dam12 ft (3.7 m)2009 Occidental
38°25′29″N122°57′32″W / 38.4247°N 122.959°W / 38.4247; -122.959 (Camp Meeker Dam) 		Dutch Bill Creek
Fife Creek Check Dam2010 Guerneville
38°32′00″N123°00′14″W / 38.5334°N 123.004°W / 38.5334; -123.004 (Fife Creek Check Dam) 		Fife Creek
Dempster Vineyard Dam6.6 ft (2.0 m)2018 Forestville
38°29′10″N122°55′06″W / 38.4861°N 122.9183°W / 38.4861; -122.9183 (Dempster Vineyard Dam) 		Green Valley Creek
Iron Horse Dam10 ft (3.0 m)2019 Sonoma County
38°27′48″N122°53′48″W / 38.4632°N 122.8968°W / 38.4632; -122.8968 (Iron Horse Dam)
Mumford Dam2003 Redwood Valley
39°16′39″N123°12′29″W / 39.2774°N 123.208°W / 39.2774; -123.208 (Mumford Dam) 		West Fork Russian River
Shasta River Water Association Diversion Dam2009 Shasta County
40°51′12″N122°20′49″W / 40.8534°N 122.347°W / 40.8534; -122.347 (Shasta River Water Association Diversion Dam) 		Nelson Creek Sacramento River
Wildcat Dam2009 Anderson
40°25′13″N121°57′40″W / 40.4202°N 121.961°W / 40.4202; -121.961 (Wildcat Dam) 		North Fork Battle Creek
Double U Fish Ranch Dam [10] 27 ft (8.2 m)2023 Modoc County
41°27′20″N120°54′03″W / 41.4555°N 120.9008°W / 41.4555; -120.9008 (Double U Fish Ranch Dam) 		Howards Gulch
Beale Dam12 ft (3.7 m)2020 Beale Air Force Base
39°06′30″N121°20′19″W / 39.1084°N 121.3385°W / 39.1084; -121.3385 (Beale Dam) 		Dry Creek
Dream Lake Dam2011 Lassen Volcanic National Park
40°26′31″N121°24′30″W / 40.442°N 121.4084°W / 40.442; -121.4084 (Dream Lake Dam) 		Hot Springs Creek
McCormick-Saeltzer Dam18 ft (5.5 m)2000 Redding
40°29′36″N122°28′16″W / 40.4932°N 122.471°W / 40.4932; -122.471 (McCormick-Saeltzer Dam) 		Clear Creek
Hammer Diversion Dam2014 Red Bluff
40°07′24″N122°43′19″W / 40.1234°N 122.722°W / 40.1234; -122.722 (Hammer Diversion Dam) 		South Fork Cottonwood Creek
Percolation Dam2009 Solano County
38°31′18″N121°57′54″W / 38.5216°N 121.965°W / 38.5216; -121.965 (Percolation Dam) 		Putah Creek
Swim Dam #12001 Sunol
37°30′46″N121°49′37″W / 37.5129°N 121.827°W / 37.5129; -121.827 (Swim Dam #1) 		Alameda Creek San Francisco Bay
Swim Dam #22001 Sunol
37°30′39″N121°49′34″W / 37.5109°N 121.826°W / 37.5109; -121.826 (Swim Dam #2)
Sunol Dam2006 Sunol
37°35′40″N121°54′07″W / 37.5944°N 121.902°W / 37.5944; -121.902 (Sunol Dam)
Niles Dam2006 Union City
37°35′09″N121°57′47″W / 37.5859°N 121.963°W / 37.5859; -121.963 (Niles Dam)
Bear Creek Dam #37 ft (2.1 m)2012 Woodside
37°24′54″N122°14′35″W / 37.4151°N 122.243°W / 37.4151; -122.243 (Bear Creek Dam #3) 		Bear Creek
Columbine Dam24 ft (7.3 m)2021 Santa Clara
37°21′12″N121°47′37″W / 37.3534°N 121.7935°W / 37.3534; -121.7935 (Columbine Dam) 		Flint Creek
Bonde Weir2.1 ft (0.64 m)2013 Palo Alto
37°26′51″N122°10′12″W / 37.4474°N 122.17°W / 37.4474; -122.17 (Bonde Weir) 		San Francisquito Creek
Lagunita Diversion Dam8 ft (2.4 m)2018 Palo Alto
37°25′24″N122°10′27″W / 37.4234°N 122.1742°W / 37.4234; -122.1742 (Lagunita Diversion Dam) 		San Francisquito Creek
Unnamed Small Dam #11998 Guadalupe River
Unnamed Small Dam #21998
Memorial Park Dam2015 San Mateo County
37°16′26″N122°17′19″W / 37.2739°N 122.2885°W / 37.2739; -122.2885 (Memorial Park Dam) 		Pescadero Creek Pescadero Creek
Waterman Dam12 ft (3.7 m)2009 Boulder Creek
37°12′52″N122°10′34″W / 37.2144°N 122.1761°W / 37.2144; -122.1761 (Waterman Dam) 		Waterman Creek
Lower Mill Creek Dam15 ft (4.6 m)2021 Santa Cruz
37°02′33″N122°10′07″W / 37.0426°N 122.1686°W / 37.0426; -122.1686 (Lower Mill Creek Dam) 		Mill Creek San Vicente River
Hall Wines Dam (Dry Creek Dam)2008 Napa County
38°22′38″N122°18′58″W / 38.3771°N 122.316°W / 38.3771; -122.316 (Hall Wines Dam (Dry Creek Dam)) 		Dry Creek Napa River
Milliken Creek Dam13 ft (4.0 m)2017 Napa County
38°20′56″N122°15′49″W / 38.349°N 122.2635°W / 38.349; -122.2635 (Milliken Creek Dam) 		Milliken Creek
York Creek Diversion Structure2004 St. Helena
38°30′34″N122°29′46″W / 38.5095°N 122.496°W / 38.5095; -122.496 (York Creek Diversion Structure) 		York Creek
York Dam24 ft (7.3 m)2020 St. Helena
38°30′32″N122°29′46″W / 38.509°N 122.496°W / 38.509; -122.496 (York Dam)
Maria Ygnacio Debris Basin Dam East Branch20 ft (6.1 m)2019 Santa Barbara County
34°27′38″N119°47′28″W / 34.4606°N 119.7912°W / 34.4606; -119.7912 (Maria Ygnacio Debris Basin Dam East Branch) 		East Branch Maria Ygnacio Creek Atascadero Creek
Maria Ygnacio Aijian Barrier5 ft (1.5 m)2014 Santa Barbara
34°27′59″N119°47′39″W / 34.4664°N 119.7943°W / 34.4664; -119.7943 (Maria Ygnacio Aijian Barrier) 		Maria Ygnacio Creek
Maria Ygnacio Debris Basin Dam Main Branch20 ft (6.1 m)2019 Santa Barbara County
34°28′31″N119°47′31″W / 34.4752°N 119.7919°W / 34.4752; -119.7919 (Maria Ygnacio Debris Basin Dam Main Branch)
Lion Creek Diversion Dam3 ft (0.91 m)2014 Ojai
34°32′40″N119°09′50″W / 34.5444°N 119.164°W / 34.5444; -119.164 (Lion Creek Diversion Dam) 		Lion Creek Santa Clara River
Horse Creek Dam12 ft (3.7 m)2006 Los Padres National Forest
34°50′15″N120°01′01″W / 34.8376°N 120.017°W / 34.8376; -120.017 (Horse Creek Dam) 		Horse Creek Santa Maria River
Rodeo Grounds Berm12 to 18 ft (3.7 to 5.5 m)2008 Los Angeles County
34°02′31″N118°34′47″W / 34.0419°N 118.5796°W / 34.0419; -118.5796 (Rodeo Grounds Berm) 		Topanga Creek Santa Monica Bay
Trout Haven Dam Six Rivers National Forest
41°53′26″N123°48′54″W / 41.8905°N 123.815°W / 41.8905; -123.815 (Trout Haven Dam) 		Monkey Creek Smith River
Benbow Dam20 ft (6.1 m)2016 Eureka
40°04′00″N123°47′46″W / 40.0666°N 123.7961°W / 40.0666; -123.7961 (Benbow Dam) 		South Fork Eel River Eel River
Cedar Creek Hatchery Dam20 ft (6.1 m)2022 Leggett
39°50′23″N123°42′27″W / 39.8398°N 123.7075°W / 39.8398; -123.7075 (Cedar Creek Hatchery Dam) 		Cedar Creek
Salt Creek Dam10 ft (3.0 m) Mendocino National Forest
39°17′35″N122°47′42″W / 39.2931°N 122.795°W / 39.2931; -122.795 (Salt Creek Dam) 		Salt Creek
Bear Valley Dam15 ft (4.6 m)1982 Point Reyes National Seashore
37°59′36″N122°48′50″W / 37.9933°N 122.814°W / 37.9933; -122.814 (Bear Valley Dam) 		Drakes Bay
Lower Murphy Dam6 ft (1.8 m) Inverness
38°04′10″N122°55′05″W / 38.0694°N 122.918°W / 38.0694; -122.918 (Lower Murphy Dam) 		Home Bay
Upper Murphy Dam25 ft (7.6 m) Point Reyes National Seashore
38°05′07″N122°54′14″W / 38.0853°N 122.904°W / 38.0853; -122.904 (Upper Murphy Dam) 		Home Ranch Creek
Haypress Pond Dam20 ft (6.1 m)2003 Golden Gate National Recreation Area
37°51′46″N122°32′49″W / 37.8629°N 122.547°W / 37.8629; -122.547 (Haypress Pond Dam) 		Tributary to Tennessee Valley Tennessee Cove
Copco Number 1 Dam 132 ft (40 m)2024 Siskiyou County
41°58′48″N122°20′04″W / 41.98000°N 122.33444°W / 41.98000; -122.33444 (Copco Number 1 Dam) 		Klamath River Klamath River
Iron Gate Dam 173 ft (53 m) Siskiyou County
41°56′02″N122°26′07″W / 41.93389°N 122.43528°W / 41.93389; -122.43528 (Iron Gate Dam)
Copco Number 2 Dam 33 ft (10 m) [11] 2023 Siskiyou County
41°58′44″N122°20′24″W / 41.9789°N 122.3400°W / 41.9789; -122.3400 (Copco Number 2 Dam)
East Weaver Creek Dam [10] 12 ft (3.7 m)2023 Weaverville
40°46′37″N122°55′47″W / 40.777°N 122.9298°W / 40.777; -122.9298 (East Weaver Creek Dam) 		East Weaver Creek
Hostler Creek Dam14 ft (4.3 m)2012 Hoopa
41°04′43″N123°40′05″W / 41.0787°N 123.668°W / 41.0787; -123.668 (Hostler Creek Dam) 		Hostler Creek
Minnie Reeves Dam20 ft (6.1 m)2002 Douglas City
40°38′17″N122°54′29″W / 40.6381°N 122.908°W / 40.6381; -122.908 (Minnie Reeves Dam) 		Indian Creek
Little Shasta River Flashboard Dam2019 Siskiyou County Little Shasta River
Araujo Dam2007 Siskiyou County
41°41′15″N122°31′48″W / 41.6876°N 122.53°W / 41.6876; -122.53 (Araujo Dam) 		Shasta River
Grenada Irrigation District Dam12 ft (3.7 m)2012 Siskiyou County
41°43′37″N122°33′27″W / 41.727°N 122.5575°W / 41.727; -122.5575 (Grenada Irrigation District Dam)
Quinn Dam14 ft (4.3 m)1951 East Fork North Fork Trinity River
Lone Jack Dam24 ft (7.3 m)
Todd Dam14 ft (4.3 m)1949
Trinity Cty. Water & Power Co. Dam10 ft (3.0 m)1946 East Fork Trinity River
North Fork Placers Dam15 ft (4.6 m)1950 North Fork Trinity River
Whites Gulch Upper Dam2008 Etna
41°16′54″N123°04′33″W / 41.2818°N 123.0757°W / 41.2818; -123.0757 (Whites Gulch Upper Dam) 		Whites Gulch
White Gulch Dam #1 (Whites Gulch Lower Dam)2008 Siskiyou County
41°17′27″N123°04′59″W / 41.2909°N 123.083°W / 41.2909; -123.083 (White Gulch Dam #1 (Whites Gulch Lower Dam))
Smith Dam8 ft (2.4 m)1949
Bonally Mining Co. Dam11 ft (3.4 m)1946 North Fork Salmon River
Bennett-Smith Dam10 ft (3.0 m)1950 South Fork Salmon River
Barton Dam12 ft (3.7 m)1950 South Fork Scott River
Rooney Bros Dam2008 Sacramento County
38°21′30″N121°20′35″W / 38.3582°N 121.343°W / 38.3582; -121.343 (Rooney Bros Dam) 		Cosumnes River Mokelumne River
Murphy Creek Dam (Sparrow Dam)12 ft (3.7 m)2003 Clements
38°14′02″N121°01′35″W / 38.234°N 121.0264°W / 38.234; -121.0264 (Murphy Creek Dam (Sparrow Dam)) 		Murphy Creek
East Panther Creek Dam12 ft (3.7 m)2016 Amador County
38°29′24″N120°23′51″W / 38.49°N 120.3975°W / 38.49; -120.3975 (East Panther Creek Dam) 		East Panther Creek
West Panther Creek Dam14 ft (4.3 m)2003 Amador County
38°29′34″N120°23′36″W / 38.4929°N 120.3933°W / 38.4929; -120.3933 (West Panther Creek Dam) 		West Panther Creek
Camp Nine Dam2012 Vallecito
38°08′09″N120°22′37″W / 38.1358°N 120.377°W / 38.1358; -120.377 (Camp Nine Dam) 		Stanislaus River San Joaquin River
Cascade Diversion Dam18 ft (5.5 m)2003 El Portal
37°43′06″N119°40′55″W / 37.7183°N 119.682°W / 37.7183; -119.682 (Cascade Diversion Dam) 		Merced River
Dennett Dam10 ft (3.0 m)2018 Modesto
37°37′38″N120°59′16″W / 37.6273°N 120.9878°W / 37.6273; -120.9878 (Dennett Dam) 		Tuolumne River
Ojai Valley Trail Ford2011 Oak View
34°22′47″N119°18′25″W / 34.3798°N 119.307°W / 34.3798; -119.307 (Ojai Valley Trail Ford) 		San Antonio Creek Ventura River
Arco Pond Dam10 ft (3.0 m)
Happy Isles Dam8 ft (2.4 m)1987
C-Lind Dam #156 ft (17 m)1993
Three C. Picket Dam1949Beaver Creek
Big Creek Manufacturing Dam14 ft (4.3 m)Big Creek
A-Frame Dam30 ft (9.1 m)2003Brandy Creek
Point Four Dam6 ft (1.8 m)1993Butte Creek
Henry Danninbrink Dam1927Canyon Creek
Red Hill Mining Do. Dam30 ft (9.1 m)1951Canyon Creek
Lake Christopher Dam10 ft (3.0 m)1994Cold Creek
Unnamed dam5 ft (1.5 m)2002Ferrari Creek
Russell Dam (Hinkley Dam)11 ft (3.4 m)1922Hayfork Creek
Hessellwood Dam10 ft (3.0 m)1925Hayfork Creek
Big Nugget Mine Dam12 ft (3.7 m)1949Horse Creek
D.B. Fields Dam6 ft (1.8 m)1947Indian Creek
Altoona Dam12 ft (3.7 m)1947Kidder Creek
Clarissa V. Mining Dam20 ft (6.1 m)1950Redding Creek
Anderline Dam20 ft (6.1 m)1936Rush Creek
Unnamed Arizona Crossing2002Solstice Creek
Moser Dam1949Swillup Creek
Unnamed dam2006Ward Creek
Unnamed dam6 ft (1.8 m)1992Wildcat Creek
Unnamed dam6 ft (1.8 m)1992
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Planned and proposed removals

DamHeightExpected yearLocationWatercourseWatershed
Matilija Dam 198 ft (60 m) Ojai
34°29′06″N119°18′30″W / 34.4850°N 119.3082°W / 34.4850; -119.3082 (Matilija Dam) 		Matilija Creek Ventura River
Rindge Dam 100 ft (30 m)2025–2035 Malibu Creek State Park
34°03′53″N118°41′57″W / 34.0646°N 118.6993°W / 34.0646; -118.6993 (Rindge Dam) 		Malibu Creek Santa Monica Bay
Scott Dam 138 ft (42 m)2028 or later Lake County
39°24′27″N122°57′33″W / 39.4075°N 122.9592°W / 39.4075; -122.9592 (Scott Dam) 		Eel River Eel River
Cape Horn Dam 63 ft (19 m) Mendocino County
39°23′10″N123°07′00″W / 39.3862°N 123.1166°W / 39.3862; -123.1166 (Cape Horn Dam)
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References

  1. ↑ "Carmel River diverted to demolish San Clemente Dam". SFGate. December 15, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  2. ↑ Greenson, Thadeus (November 23, 2023). "PG&E Moves Forward with Eel River Dam Removal". North Coast Journal. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Work on Copco No. 2 Dam Removal Comes to a Close". Klamath River Renewal. November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Klamath River dams fully removed ahead of schedule". Governor of California. October 2, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Hetch Hetchy Environmental Debates". The Center for Legislative Archives. National Archives. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  6. ↑ Rogers, Paul (September 30, 2012). "Hetch Hetchy controversy: Could Yosemite's 'second valley' be restored?". San Jose Mercury News.
  7. ↑ "Trabuco District Dam Removal Project". www.fs.usda.gov. Cleveland National Forest. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  8. ↑ Hacker, Allison (September 9, 2019). "A Programmatic Approach to Dam Removal and River Restoration: Cleveland National Forest, CA". American Rivers . Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ Rivers, American (February 13, 2023). "American Rivers Dam Removal Database". Figshare . American Rivers. doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.5234068.v10 . Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Rivers, American (February 12, 2024). "American Rivers Dam Removal Database". Figshare . American Rivers. doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.5234068.v11 . Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Klamath Dam Removal: Copco 2 History & Updates". Native Fish Society. November 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
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