Kino Springs dam
Kino Springs
Kino Springs, located in Tumacacori, Arizona, is a private recreational water resource regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The dam, completed in 1965, is an earth-type structure with a height of 19 feet and a length of 360 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 200 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, with a spillway type listed as "Uncontrolled" and a low hazard potential rating.
Situated along the Santa Cruz River, Kino Springs offers a picturesque setting for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam's location in Santa Cruz County provides a vital water source for the surrounding area, with a drainage area of 0.11 square miles and a maximum discharge of 30 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's condition is currently listed as "Not Rated," suggesting that ongoing monitoring and maintenance may be necessary to ensure its long-term safety and functionality.
With a history dating back over half a century, Kino Springs continues to be a popular destination for those seeking leisure and recreation in the Arizona desert. As one of the few privately owned water resources in the region, its role in providing water-based activities and supporting the local ecosystem underscores the importance of responsible water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. The dam's presence along the Santa Cruz River serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human enjoyment and environmental stewardship in the preservation of vital water resources.
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 Kino Springs -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz River Near Nogales | 1 cfs | → |
| Nogales Wash At Nogales Ariz | 3 cfs | → |
| Santa Cruz River Near Lochiel | · | → |
| Santa Cruz River At Tubac | · | → |
| Santa Cruz Nr Amado | 0 cfs | → |
| Huachuca Canyon Near Fort Huachuca | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kino Springs.
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Kino Springs 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 Kino Springs
Where does the data for Kino Springs 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 Low 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 Kino Springs.