SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Following an earthquake in Northern California this morning, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District conducted a routine post-seismic inspection of Black Butte Dam in accordance with established dam safety procedures. The inspection found no issues or concerns, and the dam continues to operate safely and as designed.
USACE evaluates seismic events and conducts post-seismic inspections when predetermined magnitude and proximity thresholds are met. Based on the location and magnitude of the earthquake, Black Butte Dam was the only Sacramento District dam requiring a post-seismic inspection.
These inspections are a standard precaution used to verify that critical infrastructure continues to perform as intended following seismic activity. Black Butte Dam was designed and constructed to withstand seismic activity consistent with the region's geological conditions, and inspections such as this help confirm the continued safe performance and integrity of the project.
In addition to post-seismic inspections, USACE conducts routine annual inspections at all dam projects to support informed decisions regarding operation, maintenance, and long-term reliability. Black Butte Dam's most recent annual inspection was completed in December 2025.
“Public safety depends on both resilient infrastructure and dedicated personnel,” said Daniel Vellone, Sacramento District Dam Safety Program Manager. “Our operations team responded quickly to complete the inspection and confirm that Black Butte Dam continues to perform safely and as intended.”
Sacramento District engineering and operations personnel work closely together to ensure dam infrastructure continues to provide reliable flood risk management, water supply, environmental stewardship, debris management, and recreation benefits to communities throughout the region.
The district also regularly coordinates with local, state, and federal partners through emergency planning and preparedness activities. Most recently, Engineering and Operations Division personnel conducted an Emergency Action Plan seminar in December 2025 with regional emergency management partners to review response procedures for seismic, flood, and other emergency events.
The Sacramento District Dam Safety Program oversees 17 dams throughout California's Central Valley and within Seismic Zones 3 and 4.
For more information about the Sacramento District's Dam Safety Program, visit https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Dam-Safety-Program/.