Steel Dam dam
Steel Dam
Steel Dam, located in Coconino, Arizona, along the Johnson Canyon river, is a historic multi-arch dam completed in 1898 by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company. Owned and regulated by the Forest Service, the dam serves as a vital water supply source for the area, with a storage capacity of 97 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 102 cubic feet per second. The dam stands at a height of 46 feet and spans 320 feet in length, constructed with roller-compacted concrete on a rock foundation.
With a primary purpose of water supply, Steel Dam also supports fish and wildlife ponds, recreation, and flood control in the region. The dam's spillway, 184 feet wide, is uncontrolled, and its hazard potential is rated as low. Despite not being currently rated for condition assessment, the dam undergoes inspections every 10 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Its risk assessment is classified as moderate, with risk management measures in place to mitigate potential hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Steel Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into historical dam engineering and its role in sustaining water supplies and ecosystems. The dam's presence along the Johnson Canyon river not only provides essential water storage but also creates recreational opportunities and supports local wildlife habitats. With its unique multi-arch design and roller-compacted concrete construction, Steel Dam stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of early dam builders in 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 Steel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Verde River Near Paulden | 16 cfs | → |
| Williamson Valley Wash Near Paulden | · | → |
| Del Rio Springs Near Chino Valley | 0 cfs | → |
| Verde River Near Clarkdale | 58 cfs | → |
| Granite Creek Blw Watson Lake Nr Prescott | · | → |
| Oak Creek Near Cornville | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Steel Dam.
Campgrounds
- Kaibab Lake Campground
- Kaibab Lake
- Kaibab Lake Campground And Group Areas
- Dogtown Lake
- Dogtown Lake Campground
- White Horse Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Parsons Spring To Confluence Of The Verde River
- Headwaters In Sec 14, T19n, R5e To Confluence With Oak Creek
- Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery To Private Land In Sec 5, T17n,R6e
- Indian Gardens
More reservoirs
Track Steel Dam 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 Steel Dam
Where does the data for Steel Dam 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 Steel Dam.