Tahquitz Creek Debris Basin is an earth dam located in Riverside County, California, built in 1991. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 1,697 ft long, taller than 74% 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 embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Tahquitz Creek Debris Basin
The primary purpose of Tahquitz Creek Debris Basin is debris control. The dam is designed to catch sediment, rocks, and debris carried by flowing water — particularly important in areas prone to mudslides or heavy erosion. The dam is owned by Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (local government). It impounds the Tahquitz Creek near Palm Springs.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 1,697 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 75 acre-feet. Completed in 1991, the structure is 35 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 12/03/2025.
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 | Riverside |
| Nearest City | Palm Springs |
| River/Stream | Tahquitz Creek |
| Coordinates | 33.81100, -116.55170 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,697 ft |
| Year Completed | 1991 (35 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 75 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 75 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Debris Control |
| Owner | Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/03/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA01242 |
| Federal ID | CA01242 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |