Juncal is an arch dam located in Santa Barbara County, California, built in 1930. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 160 ft160 ft tall and 430 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 Juncal
Juncal is a dam in Santa Barbara, California. The dam is owned by Montecito Water District (public utility). It impounds the Santa Ynez Rv.
The dam stands 160 feet tall and stretches 430 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 138 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 6,140 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 14 square miles. Completed in 1930, 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 05/14/2025.
At 160 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 Barbara |
| Nearest City | None |
| River/Stream | Santa Ynez Rv |
| Coordinates | 34.49290, -119.50830 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Arch |
| NID Height | 160 ft |
| Dam Height | 160 ft |
| Dam Length | 430 ft |
| Year Completed | 1930 (96 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 6,140 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 6,140 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 138 acres |
| Drainage Area | 14 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 11,995 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Montecito Water District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/14/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00211 |
| Federal ID | CA00211 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |