Orvis is a privately owned dam located in Farmington, California, along the Buckham Gulch. Completed in 1959, Orvis serves the primary purpose of water supply for irrigation and other uses in the region. The earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet with a hydraulic height of 28 feet, providing a storage capacity of 500 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 47 acres.

Managed by the California Department of Water Resources and Safety of Dams, Orvis is regulated, permitted, and inspected by the state authorities to ensure its safe operation. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is assessed to be in satisfactory condition as of September 2017. With a last inspection date in February 2020 and an inspection frequency of once per year, Orvis continues to play a crucial role in water resource management in the Stanislaus County.

For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Orvis represents a significant infrastructure contributing to the water supply and irrigation needs of the area. With its state-regulated status and satisfactory condition, the dam serves as a vital component in ensuring water security and resource management in California. As climate change impacts water availability and usage patterns, monitoring and maintaining structures like Orvis are essential for sustainable water management practices in the region.