// Risk Intelligence
| Risk Score | 8 / 10 High |
| Facility Type | 🌊 Major Dam / Flood Control |
| Operator / Branch | US Army Corps of Engineers |
| Host County | El Dorado County CA |
| Nearest City | Washington DC |
| Primary Risk Radius | 10 miles |
| Secondary Risk Radius | 30 miles |
// Strategic Significance
Folsom Dam on the American River east of Sacramento holds 977,000 acre-feet and a deliberate release or breach would send catastrophic flooding down the American River directly into Sacramento. Sacramento sits at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers and is one of the most flood-vulnerable major US cities. FEMA has assessed that a major American River flood event would cause catastrophic damage to Sacramento. The American River Parkway running through Sacramento provides no flood barrier. A deliberate Folsom release combined with a Shasta release would produce compound flooding devastating all of Sacramento.
// Civilian Impact Assessment
El Dorado County with 190,000 residents and Sacramento County with 1.6 million residents directly downstream. Sacramento sits at the American River confluence. A deliberate Folsom release would flood Sacramento. Combined with a Shasta release the compound flooding would be catastrophic. Sacramento has limited flood barrier protection.
// Evacuation & Shelter Guidance
US-50, Green Valley Road, Folsom Auburn Road. El Dorado County Emergency Management coordinates Folsom Dam terrorism deliberate release and Sacramento flooding protocols.