Lower Van Norman Bypass

Offstream· Los Angeles, California· Built 1970· Earth· 78 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lower Van Norman Bypass is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 78 ft (taller than 75.6% in CA)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage240 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDCA00101

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: August 31, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

City of Los Angeles Department of Water And Power

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lower Van Norman Bypass?

Lower Van Norman Bypass 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 Lower Van Norman Bypass?

Lower Van Norman Bypass is owned by City of Los Angeles Department of Water And Power (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lower Van Norman Bypass built?

Lower Van Norman Bypass was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Lower Van Norman Bypass?

Lower Van Norman Bypass serves the following purposes: Other, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lower Van Norman Bypass?

Lower Van Norman Bypass has a dam height of 78 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 Lower Van Norman Bypass last inspected?

Lower Van Norman Bypass was last inspected on August 31, 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.