Arundell Barranca
Arundell Barranca is an earth dam located in Ventura County, California, built in 1996. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Arundell Barranca
The primary purpose of Arundell Barranca 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 Ventura County Watershed Protection District (local government). It impounds the Arundell Barranca near Ventura City.
The dam stands 57 feet tall and stretches 368 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 155 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1996, the structure is 30 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 11/12/2025.
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 | Ventura |
| Nearest City | Ventura City |
| River/Stream | Arundell Barranca |
| Coordinates | 34.29920, -119.21940 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 57 ft |
| Dam Height | 57 ft |
| Dam Length | 368 ft |
| Year Completed | 1996 (30 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 155 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 155 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Debris Control |
| Owner | Ventura County Watershed Protection District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/12/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA01412 |
| Federal ID | CA01412 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |