East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin dam
East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin
East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin, located in Irvine, California, serves as a vital debris control and flood risk reduction structure along the Hicks Can Wash. Constructed in 1997, this earth dam stands at a height of 49 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 75 acre-feet spread over a surface area of 6 acres. The basin has a low hazard potential and is currently in satisfactory condition, as assessed in September 2017.
Managed by the local government, the East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), specifically in terms of safety of dams. The structure is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its continued functionality in mitigating flood risks and controlling debris flow. In case of emergencies, the basin's emergency action plan and contact information are essential components for swift response and risk management.
With its strategic location and design, the East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential flooding and debris hazards. As a key part of the California water resource infrastructure, this structure stands as a testament to effective flood risk reduction measures and proactive management strategies in the face of changing climate patterns and environmental challenges.
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 East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Agua Chinon Wash Nr Irvine Ca | · | → |
| Sand Cyn C A Irvine Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Bonita C A Irvine Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Santiago C A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
| Santa Ana R A Santa Ana Ca | · | → |
| Santa Ana R Bl Prado Dam Ca | 122 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin.
Boat launches
- Granada Launch Ramp - Long Beach
- Eucalyptus Park Road, San Dimas
- Vacation Drive 28736, Canyon Lake
- Goetz Road Riverside County
Campgrounds
- Oso Lake Scout Camp
- Oneill Regional Park
- Deer Canyon Campground
- Upper Moro Campground
- Lower Moro Campground
- Crystal Cove State Park - Moro Campground
Fishing spots
- Irvine Lake (Santiago Res)
- Santa Ana River Lakes
- Anaheim Lake
- Laguna Niguel Lake
- Tri-City Park Lake
- Prado Regional Park, El Lake
Paddle runs
- San Mateo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary With Camp Pendleton
- Devil Canyon Tributary To San Mateo Creek
- Santa Margarita River
- Laurel Gulch To Confluence With Mineo Canyon (Se 1/4, Sw 1/4, Sec 17, T2n, R8w)
- Middle Fork - Commanche Campsite To Middle Fork Trailhead
Track East Hicks Canyon Retarding 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 East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin
Where does the data for East Hicks Canyon Retarding 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 Low 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 East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin.