Silver Lake

Tr Ballona Creek· Los Angeles, California· Built 1976· Earth· 43 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Silver Lake is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1976 and is 50 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 43 ft (taller than 51.5% in CA)
Dam Length760 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Surface Area77 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1976 (50 years old)
NID IDCA00081

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: September 13, 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 Silver Lake?

Silver Lake 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 Silver Lake?

Silver Lake 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 Silver Lake built?

Silver Lake was completed in 1976, making it 50 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 Silver Lake?

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

How tall is Silver Lake?

Silver Lake has a dam height of 43 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 Silver Lake last inspected?

Silver Lake was last inspected on September 13, 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.