Las Tablas Creek

Las Tablas Cr· San Luis Obispo, California· Built 1961· Earth· 40 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Irrigation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Las Tablas Creek is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 40 ft (taller than 46.3% in CA)
Dam Length140 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage180 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area32 sq mi
Max Discharge7,897 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDCA00724

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: June 20, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Mechanics Bank

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Las Tablas Creek?

Las Tablas Creek 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 Las Tablas Creek?

Las Tablas Creek is owned by Mechanics Bank (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Las Tablas Creek built?

Las Tablas Creek 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 Las Tablas Creek?

Las Tablas Creek serves the following purposes: Other, Irrigation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Las Tablas Creek?

Las Tablas Creek has a dam height of 40 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 Las Tablas Creek last inspected?

Las Tablas Creek was last inspected on June 20, 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.