Cull Creek
Cull Creek is an earth dam located in Alameda County, California, built in 1963. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Cull Creek
The primary purpose of Cull Creek is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Alameda County Public Works Agency (local government). It impounds the Cull Creek near Castro Valley.
The dam stands 55 feet tall and stretches 440 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 18 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 140 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1963, 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 09/30/2025.
At 55 feet, this dam is taller than 94% 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 | Alameda |
| Nearest City | Castro Valley |
| River/Stream | Cull Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.70370, -122.05670 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Length | 440 ft |
| Year Completed | 1963 (63 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 140 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 140 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 18 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Alameda County Public Works Agency |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/30/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00840 |
| Federal ID | CA00840 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |