North Crescent Lake Dam dam
North Crescent Lake Dam
North Crescent Lake Dam, located in Apache County, Arizona, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Built in 1934, this earth dam stands at 17 feet tall and spans 750 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 5,800 acre-feet. The dam primarily serves recreational purposes, including fish and wildlife pond management, and is situated along the East Fork Black River near Deer Creek Lodge.
This significant dam, with a hazard potential rating of "Significant" and a risk assessment of "Moderate (3)", is regulated by the Forest Service and is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway measuring 2 feet in width. While the dam's condition is currently "Not Rated", it underwent its last inspection in April 2006. With its location in a picturesque setting and its importance for both recreation and wildlife conservation, North Crescent Lake Dam is an essential piece of infrastructure within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, contributing to the overall water resource management in the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the role of North Crescent Lake Dam in maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding area. As part of the USDA Forest Service's operations, this dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also supports fish and wildlife conservation efforts. With its historical significance dating back almost a century, the dam stands as a testament to sustainable water management practices and serves as a vital component in the preservation of the East Fork Black River ecosystem.
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 North Crescent Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Filler Ditch At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado River At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| Nutrioso Cr. Ab. Nelson Res Nr Springerville | 0 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Fort Apache | 8 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado R Abv Lyman Lake Nr St. Johns | · | → |
| Black River Blw Pumping Plant | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Crescent Lake Dam.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Crescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site
- Big Lake Dam Parking Fishing Site
- Lee Valley Reservoir
- River Reservoir South Fishing Site
- Bunch Reservoir
- Hulsey Lake Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- State Highway 261 To 1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Fork Black River
- 0.1 Miles Below Lower Fish Barrier To 1/2 Mile Above West Fork Dispersed Campground
- Forest Boundary To 0.15 Miles Below Forest Road 116
- 1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing To 1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing
- 1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing To Confluence With Boneyard Creek
Track North Crescent Lake 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 North Crescent Lake Dam
Where does the data for North Crescent Lake 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 Significant 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 North Crescent Lake Dam.