Stewart Canyon Debris Basin dam
Stewart Canyon Debris Basin
Stewart Canyon Debris Basin, located in Ojai, California, is a crucial structure designed for debris control along the Tr San Antonio Creek. Constructed in 1963, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a hydraulic height of 20.4 feet, with a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet. The purpose of this debris basin is to mitigate the risk of debris flow and flooding in the area, demonstrating its high hazard potential but satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in September 2017.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, Stewart Canyon Debris Basin plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding community and infrastructure from the impacts of severe weather events. With a history of regular inspections and a designated emergency action plan (EAP), this structure is well-prepared to respond to any potential risks or emergencies that may arise. Its proximity to the Los Angeles District further highlights its strategic importance in water resource and climate management in Ventura County.
Overall, Stewart Canyon Debris Basin stands as a critical infrastructure asset in the region, ensuring the safety and resilience of Ojai residents against the destructive forces of nature. Its role in debris control and flood prevention underscores the importance of proactive measures in managing water resources and adapting to the challenges posed by a changing climate. As a key component of the local and state regulatory framework, this debris basin exemplifies the collaborative efforts necessary to safeguard communities and ecosystems in the face of environmental threats.
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 Stewart Canyon Debris Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Matilija C Nr Res Nr Matilija Hot Springs Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Ventura R Nr Ventura | 33 cfs | → |
| Sespe Creek Near Wheeler Springs Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| Santa Paula C Nr Santa Paula | 13 cfs | → |
| Carpinteria C Nr Carpinteria Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Sespe C Nr Fillmore | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stewart Canyon Debris Basin.
⚓ Boat launches
- Santa Ana Road Ventura County
- Pierpont Harbor Public Launch Ramp
- Piru Canyon Road 4780, Castaic
- Pyramid Lake Road, Lebec
- Vacquero Boating And Picnic Site
⛺ Campgrounds
More campgrounds →🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- Chorro Grande Canyon To Section Line Dividing Sec 1, T5n, R23w And Sec 6, T5n, T22w
- Section Line To Confluence With Rock Creek
- Headwaters, Upper Piru Creek To Wildernes Boundary
- Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Gold Hill Creek
- Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic
- Lower Piru Creek (Oulet At Pyramid Reservoir) To Piru Reservoir
Track Stewart Canyon Debris Basin 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 Stewart Canyon Debris Basin
Where does the data for Stewart Canyon Debris Basin 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 Stewart Canyon Debris Basin.