Uvas
Uvas is an earth dam located in Santa Clara County, California, built in 1957. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Uvas
The primary purpose of Uvas 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 Santa Clara Valley Water District (public utility). It impounds the Uvas Creek near Gilroy.
The dam stands 118 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 280 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 10,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 32 square miles. Completed in 1957, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 04/15/2025.
At 118 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 Clara |
| Nearest City | Gilroy |
| River/Stream | Uvas Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.06420, -121.69230 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 118 ft |
| Dam Height | 118 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 10,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 10,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 280 acres |
| Drainage Area | 32 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Santa Clara Valley Water District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/15/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00807 |
| Federal ID | CA00807 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |