Ferro Debris Basin dam
Ferro Debris Basin
Located in Ventura, California, the Ferro Debris Basin is a vital structure designed by the USDA NRCS for debris control along the Tr Beardsley Wash. Completed in 1986, this earth dam stands at a height of 45 feet and has a storage capacity of 24 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 0.6 square miles, the basin serves the primary purpose of debris control and is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program.
Managed by the local government, the Ferro Debris Basin has a significant hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in satisfactory condition. Regular inspections ensure its safety, with the last assessment conducted in September 2020. The basin's emergency action plan (EAP) was last revised in December 2018, indicating proactive measures in place for potential risks. As a critical infrastructure for flood and debris management, the Ferro Debris Basin plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding community of Los Posas.
With its strategic location and efficient design, the Ferro Debris Basin stands as a reliable defense against debris flow and flooding events in the region. Supported by federal agencies and meeting state regulatory standards, this structure exemplifies the importance of proactive infrastructure planning in water resource management. As climate change continues to pose challenges, the Ferro Debris Basin serves as a testament to effective collaboration between government entities and designers in ensuring the safety and resilience of local communities.
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 Ferro Debris Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Calleguas C Nr Camarillo Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Santa Paula C Nr Santa Paula | 11 cfs | → |
| Ventura R Nr Ventura | 28 cfs | → |
| Sespe C Nr Fillmore | 40 cfs | → |
| Matilija C Nr Res Nr Matilija Hot Springs Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Santa Clara R Nr Piru Ca | 59 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ferro Debris Basin.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Fairways Rv Military - Port Hueneme Ncb
- Mcgrath State Beach
- Channel Islands Coast Guard Military
- Ventura Ranch Koa
- Steckel Co Park
- Point Mugu Military
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In The Santa Monica Mountains To Mouth At Pacific Ocean
- Section Line To Confluence With Rock Creek
- Chorro Grande Canyon To Section Line Dividing Sec 1, T5n, R23w And Sec 6, T5n, T22w
- Lower Piru Creek (Oulet At Pyramid Reservoir) To Piru Reservoir
- Headwaters, Upper Piru Creek To Wildernes Boundary
- Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Gold Hill Creek
Track Ferro 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 Ferro Debris Basin
Where does the data for Ferro 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 Significant 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 Ferro Debris Basin.