Lower Chase Creek Dam
Lower Chase Creek
Lower Chase Creek is a private concrete dam located in Clifton, Arizona, on Chase Creek. Built in 1987, this multi-arch structure stands at a height of 94 feet and has a length of 410 feet, with a storage capacity of 390 acre-feet. The dam has a high hazard potential and is regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, with regular inspections ensuring its satisfactory condition.
With a drainage area of 1.4 square miles, Lower Chase Creek's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 250 feet to manage a maximum discharge of 14,500 cubic feet per second. Despite its high hazard potential, the risk assessment for this dam is moderate, with emergency action plans in place to mitigate any potential risks. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Lower Chase Creek to be an intriguing structure that plays a critical role in water management in Greenlee County, Arizona.
Overall, Lower Chase Creek serves a vital purpose in water storage and management in the region, with its efficient design and satisfactory condition ensuring the safety of nearby residents and the surrounding environment. As a privately owned dam, it stands as a testament to the importance of regulatory oversight and regular maintenance in safeguarding water resources and mitigating potential risks associated with high hazard structures.
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 Lower Chase Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco River At Clifton | 117 cfs | → |
| Eagle Creek Above Pumping Plant | 38 cfs | → |
| Gila River Near Clifton | 16 cfs | → |
| Bonita Creek Near Morenci | 2 cfs | → |
| Blue River Near Clifton | 0 cfs | → |
| Gila River At Head Of Safford Valley | 222 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Chase Creek.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Lower Chase Creek
Where does the data for Lower Chase Creek 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.