Lakeside dam
Lakeside
Lakeside, also known as Rainbow Lake, is a private water resource located in Navajo County, Arizona. Constructed in 1904 by the USDA NRCS, this rockfill dam serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with additional benefits for recreation. The dam stands at a height of 21 feet, with a storage capacity of 2,226 acre-feet and a surface area of 118 acres, drawing water from the Show Low Creek.
Managed under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Lakeside is subject to state regulations for permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and safe operation. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2016 deemed it satisfactory, with a moderate risk rating. The surrounding area, including the city of Show Low, benefits from the water supply and recreational opportunities provided by Lakeside, making it a vital asset for both the local community and the environment.
Overall, Lakeside is a key feature in the water resource infrastructure of Arizona, showcasing the collaboration between private ownership, government agencies, and conservation efforts. With its historical significance, functional design, and ongoing maintenance, Lakeside remains a valuable resource for irrigation, recreation, and water management in the region.
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.
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lakeside.
Campgrounds
- Lakeside
- Scott Reservoir
- Scott Reservoir Campground
- Show Low Lake
- Fool Hollow State Rec Area
- Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground
Fishing spots
- Fools Hollow Lake
- Concho Lake
- Lee Valley Reservoir
- Bunch Reservoir
- River Reservoir South Fishing Site
- Crescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Mount Baldy Wilderness To Wilderness Boundary
- West Fork Little Colorado River
- Headwaters In Mount Baldy Wilderness To 0.1 Miles Above Upper Fish Barrier
- Forest Boundary To 0.15 Miles Below Forest Road 116
- South Fork Little Colorado River
- 0.1 Miles Below Lower Fish Barrier To 1/2 Mile Above West Fork Dispersed Campground
More reservoirs
Track Lakeside 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 Lakeside
Where does the data for Lakeside 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 Significant 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 Lakeside.