North Mountain Flood Detention #3 Dam
North Mountain Flood Detention #3
North Mountain Flood Detention #3, located in Maricopa County, Arizona, is a key infrastructure designed for flood risk reduction along the Cave Creek-Tr river. Completed in 1975, this earth dam stands at a height of 25.7 feet with a structural height of 32 feet and a length of 1040 feet. With a storage capacity of 136 acre-feet, this dam plays a critical role in mitigating flood hazards in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, North Mountain Flood Detention #3 has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in satisfactory condition. The dam's spillway, with a width of 100 feet, helps control water discharge during extreme events, with a maximum discharge capacity of 4120 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk level, the dam's risk management measures and emergency preparedness protocols are essential for ensuring public safety and effective flood control in the area.
As a vital component of flood risk reduction infrastructure in Phoenix, North Mountain Flood Detention #3 serves as a crucial safeguard against potential inundation and provides valuable storage and control capabilities during periods of high water flow. With regular inspections and adherence to state regulations, this earth dam continues to play a pivotal role in protecting the community from the impacts of flooding and ensuring the resilience of water resources in the region.
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 North Mountain Flood Detention #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skunk Creek Near Phoenix | · | → |
| Salt River At Priest Drive Near Phoenix | · | → |
| Indian Bend Wash At Curry Road | · | → |
| Salt River At 51st Avenue | 0 cfs | → |
| Cave Creek Blw Cottonwood Cr Near Cave Creek | · | → |
| Verde River Near Scottsdale | 103 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Mountain Flood Detention #3.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About North Mountain Flood Detention #3
Where does the data for North Mountain Flood Detention #3 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 below 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.
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.