Century is an arch dam located in Los Angeles County, California, built in 1913. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 44 ft44 ft tall and 149 ft long, taller than 89% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic arch section and the water level is illustrative.
About Century
The primary purpose of Century 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 California Department of Parks and Recreation (state). It impounds the Malibu Creek.
The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 149 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 70 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 68 square miles. Completed in 1913, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/19/2025.
At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Los Angeles |
| River/Stream | Malibu Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.09850, -118.73340 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Arch |
| NID Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Length | 149 ft |
| Year Completed | 1913 (113 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Drainage Area | 68 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/19/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00740 |
| Federal ID | CA00740 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |