Sunset dam
Sunset
Sunset is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Maricopa, Arizona, specifically in the city of Wickenburg. Built in 1977 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and has a length of 560 feet, providing essential protection to the surrounding area against potential flooding events from the Sunset Wash. With a maximum discharge capacity of 4100 cubic feet per second and a spillway width of 40 feet, Sunset plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Managed and regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Sunset has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition, as assessed in April 2018. Despite its age, Sunset continues to serve its primary purpose effectively, storing a maximum of 169 acre-feet of water and covering a surface area of 9 acres. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, ongoing inspections and maintenance ensure that this structure remains resilient and ready to respond to any potential emergencies. Sunset stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts 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 Sunset -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hassayampa River Near Morristown | · | → |
| Agua Fria River Near Rock Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| New River Near Rock Springs | · | → |
| Skunk Creek Near Phoenix | · | → |
| Santa Maria River Near Bagdad | 1 cfs | → |
| Hassayampa River Near Arlington | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sunset.
Boat launches
- Castle Creek Road Peoria
- West Peninsula Road Peoria
- Lake Pleasant 10 Lane Boat Ramp
- North Ramp Road Peoria
Campgrounds
- Constellation Park
- Vulture Peak Rd - Box Wash Dispersed
- Cactus Rv
- Ghost Town Rd. Congress Dispersed
- Lake Pleasant
- Coyote Camp
Fishing spots
- Dead Horse Tank
- Lake Pleasant
- Horsethief Lake
- Horsethief Boating Site / Day Use Area
- North Canyon Creek
- Lower Goldwater Lake
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Sunset 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 Sunset
Where does the data for Sunset 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 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 Sunset.