East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin
East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin is an earth dam located in Orange County, California, built in 1997. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About East Hicks Canyon Retarding Basin
The primary purpose of East Hicks Canyon Retarding 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 County Of Orange (local government). It impounds the Hicks Can Wash.
The dam stands 49 feet tall and stretches 1,168 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 75 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1997, the structure is 29 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 09/09/2025.
At 49 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Orange |
| River/Stream | Hicks Can Wash |
| Coordinates | 33.72360, -117.71870 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 49 ft |
| Dam Height | 49 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,168 ft |
| Year Completed | 1997 (29 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 75 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 75 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Debris Control |
| Owner | County of Orange |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/09/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA01415 |
| Federal ID | CA01415 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |