Banning Dam/Lake Eleanor

5/8/20241 min read

Banning Dam

Banning Dam and Lake Eleanor are located in the hills of the Conejo Valley in present-day Westlake Village California, just south of Westlake Boulevard near Potrero Road.

Constructed in 1889, Banning Dam was built by Hancock Banning with the intention of using the lake as a resort. He later turned his attention to Catalina Island The dam is notable for its early engineering and is often cited as the first concrete arch dams built in California, making it one of the oldest surviving dams in the state.

The property was acquired by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) in 1986, helping preserve the surrounding natural habitat of oak woodland, rocky outcrops, and wetlands.

Banning Dam and Lake Eleanor are recognized for their historical and engineering significance. The site was designated Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 120 in 1988 and is also listed as City of Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark No. 9.

Contact

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