Wide Canyon

West Wide Canyon· Riverside, California· Built 1968· Earth· 84 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Wide Canyon is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 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 84 ft (taller than 77.6% in CA)
Dam Length2,225 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.5K acre-ft
Surface Area57 acres
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDCA00803

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: April 20, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wide Canyon?

Wide Canyon 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 Wide Canyon?

Wide Canyon is owned by Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wide Canyon built?

Wide Canyon was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Wide Canyon?

Wide Canyon 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 Wide Canyon?

Wide Canyon has a dam height of 84 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 Wide Canyon last inspected?

Wide Canyon was last inspected on April 20, 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.