Vista Del Mar Detention Basin

Suisn Bay· Contra Costa, California· Built 2011· Earth· 42 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Private

Key Takeaway

Vista Del Mar Detention Basin is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 2011 and is 15 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 42 ft (taller than 50.1% in CA)
Dam Length552 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage33 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed2011 (15 years old)
NID IDCA01489

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: February 8, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

William Lyon Homes, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Vista Del Mar Detention Basin?

Vista Del Mar Detention 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 Vista Del Mar Detention Basin?

Vista Del Mar Detention Basin is owned by William Lyon Homes, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Vista Del Mar Detention Basin built?

Vista Del Mar Detention Basin was completed in 2011, making it 15 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 Vista Del Mar Detention Basin?

Vista Del Mar Detention Basin serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Vista Del Mar Detention Basin?

Vista Del Mar Detention Basin has a dam height of 42 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 Vista Del Mar Detention Basin last inspected?

Vista Del Mar Detention Basin was last inspected on February 8, 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.