Stevenson Ranch dam
Stevenson Ranch
Stevenson Ranch, located in Los Angeles, California, is home to a critical water resource infrastructure known as the Pico Canyon Creek Dam. Completed in 2004, this earth-built dam stands at a height of 54 feet and serves primarily for debris control and flood risk reduction purposes. With a maximum storage capacity of 105 acre-feet and a surface area of 4.75 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing the local water supply and protecting the surrounding area from potential hazards.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, the Stevenson Ranch Dam has a high hazard potential but has been assessed as satisfactory in terms of its condition. Regular inspections ensure the dam's safety and effectiveness, with the most recent inspection conducted in December 2020. As a vital component of the region's water infrastructure, the dam serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts to responsibly manage water resources in the face of changing climate conditions and increasing risks posed by extreme weather events.
Despite its critical importance, the Stevenson Ranch Dam remains largely unknown to the public, tucked away in the serene surroundings of the Pico Canyon Creek. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role of such infrastructure in safeguarding communities against flooding and ensuring water security is essential. By highlighting the significance of structures like the Stevenson Ranch Dam, we can raise awareness about the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need to invest in resilient infrastructure to adapt to a changing climate.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Stevenson Ranch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara R Nr Piru Ca | 210 cfs | → |
| Piru Creek Below Santa Felicia Dam Ca | 198 cfs | → |
| Piru Creek Above Lake Piru Ca | 34 cfs | → |
| Big Tujunga C Bl Hansen Dam Ca | · | → |
| Los Angeles R A Sepulveda Dam Ca | 97 cfs | → |
| Piru C Ab Frenchmans Flat Ca | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stevenson Ranch.
Boat launches
- Lake Hughes Road Castaic
- Piru Canyon Road 4780, Castaic
- Interstate 5, Lebec
- Vacquero Boating And Picnic Site
- Vista Del Lago Road 21, Lebec
- Pyramid Lake Road, Lebec
Campgrounds
- Group Campground 1
- Group Campground 3
- Group Campground 4
- Group Campground 6
- Group Campground 2
- Group Campground 5
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Site Of St Francis Dam Disaster To Seco Canyon At The Nf Boundary
- Lower Piru Creek (Oulet At Pyramid Reservoir) To Piru Reservoir
- Green Valley At The Nf Boundary To Site Of St Francis Dam Disaster
- Castaic To Pyramid Reservoir
- Headwaters In The Santa Monica Mountains To Mouth At Pacific Ocean
- Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic
Track Stevenson Ranch in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Stevenson Ranch
Where does the data for Stevenson Ranch come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Stevenson Ranch.