El Piojo

El Piojo River· Monterey, California· Built 1961· Earth· 20 ft tall

Key Takeaway

El Piojo is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 15.3% in CA)
Dam Length290 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage50 acre-ft
Normal Storage40 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Max Discharge786 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDCA10122

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 9, 2023
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Fort Hunter Liggett

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of El Piojo?

El Piojo is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates El Piojo?

El Piojo is owned by Fort Hunter Liggett (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was El Piojo built?

El Piojo was completed in 1961, making it 65 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of El Piojo?

El Piojo serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is El Piojo?

El Piojo has a dam height of 20 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was El Piojo last inspected?

El Piojo was last inspected on May 9, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.