Lake Ranch
Lake Ranch is an earth dam located in Santa Clara County, California, built in 1877. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Ranch
The primary purpose of Lake Ranch 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 San Jose Water Company (public utility). It impounds the Beardsley Creek near Saratoga (nw) And Lenihan ���.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 160 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 18 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 215 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1877, 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 09/24/2025.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.
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 Clara |
| Nearest City | Saratoga (nw) And Lenihan ��� |
| River/Stream | Beardsley Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.22110, -122.05240 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 160 ft |
| Year Completed | 1877 (149 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 215 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 215 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 18 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | San Jose Water Company |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/24/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00676 |
| Federal ID | CA00676 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |