Sepulveda Dam

The Sepulveda Dam is a flood control structure in Los Angeles County that impounds water from the Los Angeles River and protects surrounding neighborhoods from flooding. The dam itself extends across a width of roughly 4500 feet (1370 meters) and forms a large retention basin that collects water during the rainy season and releases it slowly afterward.

The US Army Corps of Engineers built the structure starting in 1941 as a response to the severe floods of 1938 that killed more than 100 people. Construction continued during World War II despite scarce resources and marked a turning point in flood protection for the region.

The name Sepulveda recalls an early Spanish settler family who lived in the region during the eighteenth century. Today local residents use the basin behind the dam for jogging, cycling, and team sports, valuing the grounds as a green space in a densely built area.

The grounds sit along Burbank Boulevard in Encino and offer daytime access to walking and cycling paths around the basin. Visitors find parking near the sports fields and should note that trails in the basin can be muddy after heavy rain.

The facility will host archery and BMX cycling competitions during the 2028 Summer Olympics. The basin also serves regularly as a filming location for action scenes because it is easily accessible and stays nearly dry during dry months.