Little Dalton Debris Basin

Lit Dalton Can· Los Angeles, California· Built 1960· Earth· 71 ft tall
High Hazard Debris Control Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Little Dalton Debris Basin is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is debris control. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 71 ft (taller than 73.4% in CA)
Dam Length543 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage234 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDCA01154

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 18, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Los Angeles County Department Of Public Works

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Little Dalton Debris Basin?

Little Dalton Debris Basin is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Little Dalton Debris Basin?

Little Dalton Debris Basin is owned by Los Angeles County Department Of Public Works (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Little Dalton Debris Basin built?

Little Dalton Debris Basin was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Little Dalton Debris Basin?

Little Dalton Debris 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 Little Dalton Debris Basin?

Little Dalton Debris Basin has a dam height of 71 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 Little Dalton Debris Basin last inspected?

Little Dalton Debris Basin was last inspected on November 18, 2021. 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.