Hicks Canyon Retention Basin

Hicks Can Wash· Orange, California· Built 1997· Earth· 60 ft tall
Low Hazard Debris Control Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Hicks Canyon Retention Basin is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1997 and is 29 years old. Its primary use is debris control.

Physical Details

Dam Height 60 ft (taller than 67.2% in CA)
Dam Length806 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage110 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1997 (29 years old)
NID IDCA01414

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: February 23, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

County of Orange

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hicks Canyon Retention Basin?

Hicks Canyon Retention Basin 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 Hicks Canyon Retention Basin?

Hicks Canyon Retention Basin is owned by County of Orange (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hicks Canyon Retention Basin built?

Hicks Canyon Retention Basin was completed in 1997, making it 29 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 Hicks Canyon Retention Basin?

Hicks Canyon Retention Basin serves the following purposes: Debris Control, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Hicks Canyon Retention Basin?

Hicks Canyon Retention Basin has a dam height of 60 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 Hicks Canyon Retention Basin last inspected?

Hicks Canyon Retention Basin was last inspected on February 23, 2022. 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.