Woodward
Woodward is an earth dam located in Stanislaus County, California, built in 1918. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Woodward
Woodward is a dam in Stanislaus, California. The dam is owned by South San Joaquin Irrigation District (public utility). It impounds the Simmons Creek near Stockton.
The dam stands 58 feet tall and stretches 3,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,427 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 35,435 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 12 square miles. Completed in 1918, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/07/2025.
At 58 feet, this dam is taller than 95% 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 | Stanislaus |
| Nearest City | Stockton |
| River/Stream | Simmons Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.86460, -120.87500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 58 ft |
| Dam Height | 58 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1918 (108 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 35,435 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 35,435 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,427 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | South San Joaquin Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/07/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00276 |
| Federal ID | CA00276 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |