Pacoima is an arch dam located in Los Angeles County, California, built in 1929. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 365 ft365 ft tall and 640 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 arch section and the water level is illustrative.
About Pacoima
The primary purpose of Pacoima is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (local government). It impounds the Pacoima Creek near Sylmar.
The dam stands 365 feet tall and stretches 640 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 68 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,777 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 27 square miles. Completed in 1929, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 10/21/2025.
At 365 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 | Sylmar |
| River/Stream | Pacoima Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.33550, -118.39730 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Arch |
| NID Height | 365 ft |
| Dam Height | 365 ft |
| Dam Length | 640 ft |
| Year Completed | 1929 (97 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,777 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,777 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 68 acres |
| Drainage Area | 27 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Los Angeles County Department of Public Works |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/21/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00193 |
| Federal ID | CA00193 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |