Golden Eagle Park (No. 4) dam
Golden Eagle Park (No. 4)
Golden Eagle Park (No. 4) in Maricopa, Arizona, is a local government-owned facility that serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure along the Verde River. Completed in 1973, this earth dam stands at 36.5 feet in structural height, with a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a dam height of 20 feet. The dam spans 633 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 344 acre-feet, providing protection to the surrounding area from potential inundation during periods of high discharge.
Managed by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Golden Eagle Park (No. 4) boasts a spillway width of 356 feet and a surface area of 16.8 acres. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is currently in satisfactory condition, with a moderate risk assessment rating. Regular inspections ensure its continued effectiveness in flood risk mitigation, with the last assessment conducted in December 2020. With a drainage area of 7.13 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in safeguarding the community of Fountain Hills from the impacts of flooding, highlighting its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Situated in a picturesque location and designed to withstand the challenges posed by the surrounding environment, Golden Eagle Park (No. 4) stands as a testament to the effective collaboration between local government agencies and regulatory bodies in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents. With its strategic placement along the Verde River and adherence to rigorous inspection and maintenance protocols, this earth dam continues to serve as a vital infrastructure for flood risk reduction in Maricopa County. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, we can appreciate the intricate design and functionality of this essential piece of infrastructure, which plays a crucial role in protecting the community from the unpredictable forces of nature.
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 Golden Eagle Park (No. 4) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Verde River Near Scottsdale | 106 cfs | → |
| Salt River Blw Stewart Mountain Dam | 652 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek Near Fort Mcdowell | · | → |
| Verde River Blw Bartlett Dam | 144 cfs | → |
| Indian Bend Wash At Curry Road | · | → |
| Salt River At Priest Drive Near Phoenix | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Golden Eagle Park (No. 4).
Boat launches
- Rafter Take-Out Parking
- Box Bar Shoreline Area And River Access Point
- East Saguaro Del Norte Road 469, Maricopa County
- East Saguaro Del Norte Road Maricopa County
- East Mccormick Parkway 7505, Scottsdale
- East Mission Bay Drive Gilbert
Campgrounds
- Phon D Sutton
- Coon Bluff Campground
- Coon Bluff
- Mcdowell Mountain
- Ironwood Campground
- Larry Forbis Group Site
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Salt River Indian Reservation Boundary To Immediately Above Granite Reef Dam Impoundment
- Lower Salt
- Boundary Of The Primary Jurisdiction Below Stewart Mountain Dam To Salt River Indian Reservation Boundary
- Lower Verde
- Southern Border Of Mazatzal Wilderness To Sheep Creek Bridge
- Red Creek To Southern Border Of Mazatzal Wilderness
Track Golden Eagle Park (No. 4) 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 Golden Eagle Park (No. 4)
Where does the data for Golden Eagle Park (No. 4) 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 Golden Eagle Park (No. 4).