Melrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue is an earth dam located in San Diego County, California, built in 1998. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Melrose Avenue
The primary purpose of Melrose Avenue 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 Rancho Carrillo Home Owners Association (private). It impounds the Tr San Marcos Crk near Carlsbad.
The dam stands 57 feet tall and stretches 700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 52 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1998, the structure is 28 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 02/26/2025.
At 57 feet, this dam is taller than 95% 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 | San Diego |
| Nearest City | Carlsbad |
| River/Stream | Tr San Marcos Crk |
| Coordinates | 33.12210, -117.23680 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 57 ft |
| Dam Height | 57 ft |
| Dam Length | 700 ft |
| Year Completed | 1998 (28 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 52 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 52 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Rancho Carrillo Home Owners Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/26/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA01400 |
| Federal ID | CA01400 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |