Oneal Lake dam
Oneal Lake
Oneal Lake is a privately owned reservoir located in Yavapai, Arizona, with a primary purpose of irrigation. Built in 1894, the earth dam stands at a height of 9.7 meters and has a length of 560 meters, providing a storage capacity of 88.9 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 13.4 acres and is regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Oneal Lake is considered to have a moderate risk level, with a risk assessment rating of 3. The spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 23 meters, and the dam is designated as a buttress earth structure. The last inspection of the reservoir was conducted in May 2020, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the reservoir is under state jurisdiction and meets regulatory guidelines for operation and management.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Oneal Lake to be an intriguing case study in irrigation infrastructure, showcasing historical engineering practices and the ongoing efforts to maintain dam safety and compliance with state regulations. The reservoir's location in a picturesque setting in Yavapai, Arizona, provides a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of water management, environmental stewardship, and sustainable agriculture in the arid southwestern United States. With its rich history dating back to the late 19th century, Oneal Lake serves as a vital water source for agricultural activities in the region, highlighting the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Oneal Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria River Near Bagdad | 1 cfs | → |
| Hassayampa River Near Morristown | · | → |
| Burro Creek At Old Us 93 Bridge Nr Bagdad | · | → |
| Granite Creek At Prescott | 0 cfs | → |
| Granite Creek Near Prescott | · | → |
| Bill Williams River Below Alamo Dam | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oneal Lake.
Track Oneal Lake 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 Oneal Lake
Where does the data for Oneal Lake 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 Low 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 Oneal Lake.