Rancho Del Ciervo

Tr San Jose Cr· Santa Barbara, California· Built 1938· Earth· 65 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Rancho Del Ciervo is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 65 ft (taller than 70.3% in CA)
Dam Length758 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage165 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDCA00719

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: May 18, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Santa Barbara Mountain Water Co., LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rancho Del Ciervo?

Rancho Del Ciervo 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 Rancho Del Ciervo?

Rancho Del Ciervo is owned by Santa Barbara Mountain Water Co., LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rancho Del Ciervo built?

Rancho Del Ciervo was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Rancho Del Ciervo?

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

How tall is Rancho Del Ciervo?

Rancho Del Ciervo has a dam height of 65 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 Rancho Del Ciervo last inspected?

Rancho Del Ciervo was last inspected on May 18, 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.