Carbon Canyon Dam is located near the northern edge of Orange County, California. The dam is approximately 4 miles east of the city of Brea and approximately 12 miles north of the city of Santa Ana. Carbon Canyon Dam and Reservoir was constructed and is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angles District (LAD). Construction of this dam started in April 1959 and completed on 9 May 1961, under the authority of the Flood Control Act of 1936 on the basis of the 29 July 1935 report of the Orange County Flood Control District (OCFCD) in connection with an application for a grant under the Federal Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935. Its primary purpose is for flood control in and around the drainage basin. In conjunction with Brea and Fullerton Dams, Carbon Canyon Dam is vital for the flood protection of portions of the coastal plains in Orange County, including the cities of Brea, Fullerton, Placentia, and Anaheim (location map). Currently, there are no facilities existing for the generation of hydroelectric power at Carbon Canyon Dam, nor are any contemplated.
LAD is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the dam, reservoir, and outlet works. LAD is also responsible for developing the flood control regulation plan for Carbon Canyon Dam and Reservoir in addition to the operation of the dam.
The current water control manual for Carbon Canyon Dam was approved in December 1990.
