Encino is an earth dam located in Los Angeles County, California, built in 1924. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 168 ft168 ft tall and 1,850 ft long, taller than 99% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against the Statue of Liberty, 305 ft ground to torch; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Encino
The primary purpose of Encino 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 City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (local government). It impounds the Encino Creek near Encino, Sherman Oaks.
The dam stands 168 feet tall and stretches 1,850 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 158 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 9,789 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1924, 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 11/18/2025.
At 168 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Los Angeles |
| Nearest City | Encino, Sherman Oaks |
| River/Stream | Encino Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.14820, -118.51100 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 168 ft |
| Dam Height | 168 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,850 ft |
| Year Completed | 1924 (102 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 9,789 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 9,789 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 158 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/18/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00070 |
| Federal ID | CA00070 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |