Cajalco Creek
Cajalco Creek is an earth dam located in Riverside County, California, built in 2001. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Cajalco Creek
The primary purpose of Cajalco Creek is debris control. The dam is designed to catch sediment, rocks, and debris carried by flowing water — particularly important in areas prone to mudslides or heavy erosion. The dam is owned by Metropolitan Water District Of Southern California (public utility). It impounds the Cajalco Creek.
The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 2,287 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 74 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 889 acre-feet. Completed in 2001, the structure is relatively new.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 10/29/2025.
At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Riverside |
| River/Stream | Cajalco Creek |
| Coordinates | 33.83610, -117.36430 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,287 ft |
| Year Completed | 2001 (25 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 889 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 889 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 74 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Debris Control |
| Owner | Metropolitan Water District Of Southern California |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/29/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA01441 |
| Federal ID | CA01441 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |