Whitlow Ranch Dam - Saddle Dike 1 dam
Whitlow Ranch Dam - Saddle Dike 1
Whitlow Ranch Dam - Saddle Dike 1, also known as Whitlow Ranch Reservoir, is a federally-owned earth dam located in Queen Valley, Arizona. Completed in 1959 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the primary purpose of the dam is flood risk reduction, with secondary purposes including irrigation. Standing at a height of 149 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 64,910 acre-feet and is situated on the Queen Creek, with a drainage area of 143 square miles.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 355 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for a maximum discharge of 147,000 cubic feet per second. With a high hazard potential, the dam is subject to regular inspections and risk assessments by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Emergency action plans are in place, and the dam is managed to address all types of flood risk associated with its operation. The USACE works closely with local emergency managers to ensure public safety and readiness in the event of a dam-related emergency.
In conclusion, Whitlow Ranch Dam - Saddle Dike 1 plays a crucial role in managing flood risk in the region, with a focus on maintaining the structural integrity of the dam and ensuring public safety. The US Army Corps of Engineers continues to monitor and manage the dam's operations, with a commitment to regular maintenance and updates to emergency action plans to mitigate potential risks associated with its operation.
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 Whitlow Ranch Dam - Saddle Dike 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Creek Below Whitlow Dam Nr Superior | 1 cfs | → |
| Florence-Casa Grande Canal | 200 cfs | → |
| Pinto Cr Blw Haunted Canyon Nr Miami | · | → |
| Pinto Creek Near Miami | 1 cfs | → |
| Gila River At Kelvin | 179 cfs | → |
| Salt River Blw Stewart Mountain Dam | 552 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whitlow Ranch Dam - Saddle Dike 1.
Boat launches
- East Rolls Road Pinal County
- Laguna Boat Ramp
- Apache Trail Maricopa County
- Apache Lake Maricopa County
- Service Road 183 Maricopa County
- East Saguaro Del Norte Road Maricopa County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Whitlow Ranch Dam - Saddle Dike 1 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 Whitlow Ranch Dam - Saddle Dike 1
Where does the data for Whitlow Ranch Dam - Saddle Dike 1 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 Whitlow Ranch Dam - Saddle Dike 1.