Rancho Cielito
Rancho Cielito is an earth dam located in San Bernardino County, California, built in 1912. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Rancho Cielito
The primary purpose of Rancho Cielito is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Rolling Ridge Ranch (private). It impounds the Tr Chino Creek near Chino Hills.
The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 110 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1912, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/10/2025.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The California dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Nearest City | Chino Hills |
| River/Stream | Tr Chino Creek |
| Coordinates | 33.97680, -117.70890 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1912 (114 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 110 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 110 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Rolling Ridge Ranch |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/10/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00761 |
| Federal ID | CA00761 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |