Elderberry Forebay

Castaic Creek· Los Angeles, California· Built 1972· Earth· 179 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Recreation Hydroelectric Local Government

Key Takeaway

Elderberry Forebay is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 179 ft (taller than 93.1% in CA)
Dam Length1,935 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage32.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage27.7K acre-ft
Surface Area463 acres
Drainage Area76 sq mi
Max Discharge6,800 cfs
Year Completed1972 (54 years old)
NID IDCA01080

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: No
Last Inspection: May 8, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Safety of Dams

Ownership

Los Angeles, City of

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Elderberry Forebay?

Elderberry Forebay 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 Elderberry Forebay?

Elderberry Forebay is owned by Los Angeles, City of (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Elderberry Forebay built?

Elderberry Forebay was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Elderberry Forebay?

Elderberry Forebay serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Recreation, Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Elderberry Forebay?

Elderberry Forebay has a dam height of 179 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 Elderberry Forebay last inspected?

Elderberry Forebay was last inspected on May 8, 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.