River Reservoir #3 dam
River Reservoir #3
River Reservoir #3, located in Apache, Arizona, along the Little Colorado River, was completed in 1896 for irrigation purposes. Managed by a private entity, this rockfill dam stands at 58 feet in height and has a storage capacity of 3195 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 2146 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 164 acres and has a maximum discharge rate of 24,000 cubic feet per second.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 300 feet, is uncontrolled, and the outlet gates are also uncontrolled. Despite being rated as having a high hazard potential, the dam is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in October 2017. The Arizona Department of Water Resources regulates River Reservoir #3, ensuring compliance with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements. With its historical significance and vital role in irrigation, this reservoir serves as a crucial water resource in the region.
River Reservoir #3's location in the beautiful South Fork area, its association with the USDA NRCS as the designer, and its strategic position along the Little Colorado River make it a noteworthy destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its efficient storage capacity, moderate risk assessment rating, and ongoing regulatory oversight by the Arizona Department of Water Resources highlight its importance in the region's water management infrastructure. Whether for irrigation, recreation, or ecological purposes, River Reservoir #3 remains a key player in sustaining water resources in Apache County, Arizona.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around River Reservoir #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Colorado River At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| Filler Ditch At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| Nutrioso Cr. Ab. Nelson Res Nr Springerville | 0 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado R Abv Lyman Lake Nr St. Johns | 0 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Fort Apache | 7 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado R Blw Salado Springs | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near River Reservoir #3.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Benny Creek
- Benny Creek Campground
- Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground
- Rolfe C. Hoyer
- South Fork Campground
- Winn Campground
Fishing spots
- River Reservoir South Fishing Site
- Bunch Reservoir
- Lee Valley Reservoir
- Crescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site
- Big Lake Dam Parking Fishing Site
- Nelson Reservoir
Paddle runs
- South Fork Little Colorado River
- West Fork Little Colorado River
- State Highway 261 To 1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing
- Headwaters In Mount Baldy Wilderness To 0.1 Miles Above Upper Fish Barrier
- Forest Boundary To 0.15 Miles Below Forest Road 116
- 1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing To 1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing
Track River Reservoir #3 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About River Reservoir #3
Where does the data for River Reservoir #3 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of River Reservoir #3.