Big Lake dam
Big Lake
Big Lake in Apache County, Arizona, is a captivating destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. This Earth-type dam, completed in 1964, stands at a height of 24 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 10,100 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is recreation, offering visitors a picturesque surface area of 518 acres for various water activities.
Managed by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Big Lake is also a significant structure with a hazard potential rated as "Significant" and a condition assessment deemed "Satisfactory." The dam sits on the Black River and is regulated by the state, ensuring that it meets inspection requirements and enforcement standards. With a drainage area of 2.47 square miles and a spillway width of 58 feet, this scenic lake offers both beauty and functional water management features.
For those interested in the intersection of water resources and climate, Big Lake's risk assessment is categorized as "Moderate (3)," suggesting a manageable level of risk associated with the dam. Despite its remote location near Deer Creek Lodge, this recreational gem provides a tranquil setting for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the natural beauty and water-based activities in the heart of Arizona's stunning landscape.
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 Big Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Filler Ditch At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado River At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| Nutrioso Cr. Ab. Nelson Res Nr Springerville | 0 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Fort Apache | 8 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado R Abv Lyman Lake Nr St. Johns | 0 cfs | → |
| Black River Blw Pumping Plant | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Lake.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Big Lake Dam Parking Fishing Site
- Crescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site
- Lee Valley Reservoir
- River Reservoir South Fishing Site
- Bunch Reservoir
- Hulsey Lake Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Fork Black River
- 0.1 Miles Below Lower Fish Barrier To 1/2 Mile Above West Fork Dispersed Campground
- State Highway 261 To 1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing
- 1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing To 1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing
- Forest Boundary To 0.15 Miles Below Forest Road 116
- 1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing To Confluence With Boneyard Creek
Track Big Lake 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 Big Lake
Where does the data for Big Lake 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 Big Lake.