Saddleback Frs dam
Saddleback Frs
Saddleback Flood Retarding Structure (FRS) is a vital infrastructure located in Maricopa, Arizona, designed by the USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks in the region. Completed in 1982, this earth dam stands at a height of 30.8 feet and stretches over 27,270 feet, providing flood risk reduction for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 7,600 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow from the unnamed washes in the region.
Owned and regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Saddleback FRS is subject to state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. Despite being assessed as in fair condition, the dam poses a high hazard potential due to its location and purpose. The associated risk management measures and emergency preparedness protocols are yet to be fully detailed, calling for continued vigilance and maintenance to uphold public safety and water resource protection in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Saddleback FRS serves as a prime example of sustainable flood risk reduction infrastructure in Arizona. With its stone core and soil foundation, the dam exemplifies the importance of effective water management in mitigating natural hazards and safeguarding communities. As discussions on climate change intensify, the role of structures like Saddleback FRS in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events becomes increasingly crucial for ensuring the resilience of water resources and ecosystems in the face of a changing climate.
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 Saddleback Frs -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Centennial Wash At Southern Pacific Railroad Brdg | · | → |
| Hassayampa River Near Arlington | · | → |
| Enterprise Canal At Gillespie Dam | 10 cfs | → |
| Gila R Blw Gillespie Dam | 6 cfs | → |
| Gila Bend Canal At Gillespie Dam | 40 cfs | → |
| Gila River Below Painted Rock Dam | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saddleback Frs.
Track Saddleback Frs 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 Saddleback Frs
Where does the data for Saddleback Frs 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 Saddleback Frs.