Santa Felicia

Piru Creek· Ventura, California· Built 1955· Earth· 213 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Irrigation Recreation Hydroelectric Local Government

Key Takeaway

Santa Felicia is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 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 213 ft (taller than 95.3% in CA)
Dam Length1,275 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage88.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage87.5K acre-ft
Surface Area1,240 acres
Drainage Area423 sq mi
Max Discharge208,800 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDCA00805

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

Ownership

United Water Conservation District

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Santa Felicia?

Santa Felicia 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 Santa Felicia?

Santa Felicia is owned by United Water Conservation District (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Santa Felicia built?

Santa Felicia was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Santa Felicia?

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

How tall is Santa Felicia?

Santa Felicia has a dam height of 213 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 Santa Felicia last inspected?

Santa Felicia was last inspected on August 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.