Sierra Blanca Dam dam
Sierra Blanca Dam
Sierra Blanca Dam, also known as Lake Sierra Blanca, is a Federal-owned structure located in Apache County, Arizona. Completed in 1958, this Earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and stretches 345 feet in length. Its primary purpose is to serve as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, with additional recreational opportunities available. The dam has a storage capacity of 196 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 300 cfs.
Managed by the Forest Service, Sierra Blanca Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment. Despite its moderate risk level, the dam has not been modified in recent years and is inspected every 10 years to ensure its structural integrity. With an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, Sierra Blanca Dam contributes to the local ecosystem by providing water resources for fish and wildlife while offering recreational activities for visitors.
Situated within the Los Angeles District, Sierra Blanca Dam's location at coordinates 33.87768056 latitude and -109.2714778 longitude makes it a vital asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As a key feature in the region's landscape, this dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the surrounding environment while also serving as a hub for outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation efforts.
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 Sierra Blanca Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrioso Cr. Ab. Nelson Res Nr Springerville | 0 cfs | → |
| Filler Ditch At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado River At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| San Francisco River Near Reserve | 3,350 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado R Abv Lyman Lake Nr St. Johns | 0 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Fort Apache | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sierra Blanca Dam.
Campgrounds
- Diamond Rock
- Diamond Rock Campground
- Aspen Campground - East Fork Black River
- Deer Creek Campground
- Raccoon
- Raccoon Campground
Fishing spots
- San Francisco River
- Hulsey Lake Fishing Site
- Big Lake Dam Parking Fishing Site
- Crescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site
- Luna Lake
- Nelson Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Coyote Creek To 1/4 Mile Above Diamond Rock Campground
- Confluence With Boneyard Creek To Confluence With Coyote Creek
- 1/4 Mile Above Diamond Rock Campground To Confluence With West Fork Black River
- 1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing To Confluence With Boneyard Creek
- 1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing To 1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Fork Black River
More reservoirs
Track Sierra Blanca 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 Sierra Blanca Dam
Where does the data for Sierra Blanca 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 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 Sierra Blanca Dam.