Upper Settling Basin
Upper Settling Basin is an earth dam located in Santa Clara County, California. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Upper Settling Basin
The primary purpose of Upper Settling Basin 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 Stevens Creek Quarry, Inc. (private). It impounds the Rattlesnake Creek.
The dam stands 58 feet tall and stretches 120 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 40 acre-feet.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 06/25/2025.
At 58 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Santa Clara |
| River/Stream | Rattlesnake Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.30050, -122.09140 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 58 ft |
| Dam Height | 58 ft |
| Dam Length | 120 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 40 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 40 acre-ft |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Stevens Creek Quarry, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/25/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA10372 |
| Federal ID | CA10372 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |