A 1960s California dam failure destroyed this bridge. Now, debris removal begins
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- Placer County began removing 750 tons of debris from a bridge destroyed in 1964.
- The failure of the incomplete Hell Hole Dam followed five days of record rainfall.
- Officials aim to reduce water hazards and restore safety for local recreators.
Placer County officials began Monday removing a bridge which sank under the American River after a dam failure washed out the structure in 1964.
Water rushed through the Hell Hole Dam on Dec. 23, 1964, after a five-day storm gushed 22-inches of rain into the reservoir. The construction for the project went slower than anticipated, and was incomplete in anticipation of flooding season, according to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials.
No one died, but rock from the dam slammed into five structures, destroying two suspension bridges and Placer County’s State Route 49 bridge, according the association. The bridge is near Highway 49 and Old Foresthill Road, just outside North Auburn.
On Monday, Placer County officials began removing 750 tons of bridge debris, such as 10-feet tall and 200-foot-long girders. The work aims to ensure safety for residents recreating in the area, according to county officials.
“The way that it was twisted and mangled as it washed downstream left really jagged edges and a hazard under the water that people are not aware of,” said Cheyenne Toney, senior civil engineer with the county’s department of public works, in a video message.
Safety issues include drowning or other injuries as water flows increase, said Lauren Shoemaker, a park superintendent with the Auburn State Recreational Park. She added that removing the debris allows for a more natural look in the canyon.
Placer County was able to embark on this clean-up project after securing $8 million of state funds, Toney said.
Staff will create a temporary access ramp to reach the river and transport heavy machinery. They will also make a large beach area for the equipment to sit on, she said. Divers will help to cut up some of the debris.
“This is a very unique and complicated project,” Toney said.
This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
