Los Padres

About Los Padres

Los Padres is a dam in Monterey, California. The dam is owned by California American Water (private). It impounds the Carmel River near Carmel Valley.

The dam stands 148 feet tall and stretches 570 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 67 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 44 square miles. Completed in 1949, 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 06/24/2025.

At 148 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.