Newell is an earth dam located in Santa Cruz County, California, built in 1960. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 182 ft182 ft tall and 750 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 Newell
The primary purpose of Newell 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 Santa Cruz (local government). It impounds the Newell Creek.
The dam stands 182 feet tall and stretches 750 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 172 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 8,991 acre-feet. Completed in 1960, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 03/18/2025.
At 182 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 | Santa Cruz |
| River/Stream | Newell Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.10350, -122.07420 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 182 ft |
| Dam Height | 182 ft |
| Dam Length | 750 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 8,991 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 8,991 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 172 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Santa Cruz |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/18/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00156 |
| Federal ID | CA00156 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |