Yorba

Tr Santa Ana River· Orange, California· Built 1907· Earth· 45 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Yorba is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1907 and is 119 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 45 ft (taller than 54% in CA)
Dam Length920 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Surface Area87 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1907 (119 years old)
NID IDCA00831

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

Ownership

County of Orange

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Yorba?

Yorba 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 Yorba?

Yorba is owned by County of Orange (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Yorba built?

Yorba was completed in 1907, making it 119 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 Yorba?

Yorba 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 Yorba?

Yorba has a dam height of 45 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 Yorba last inspected?

Yorba was last inspected on February 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.