Horseshoe dam
Horseshoe
Horseshoe is a captivating rockfill dam located on the Verde River in Maricopa, Arizona, boasting a towering height of 202 feet and a storage capacity of 214,372 acre-feet. Built in 1945 for irrigation purposes, this Federal-owned structure is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation and plays a crucial role in water supply management in the region. With a spillway width of 342 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 250,000 cubic feet per second, Horseshoe is equipped to handle high water levels and mitigate potential hazards.
The dam underwent significant modifications in 1996 to enhance its hydraulic, seismic, and structural integrity, ensuring its resilience to potential risks. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Horseshoe has not had a recent condition assessment available. Its Emergency Action Plan was last revised in December 2020, indicating a proactive approach to emergency preparedness. With its very high risk assessment rating, Horseshoe serves as a critical infrastructure piece in the water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the area.
Overall, Horseshoe stands as a monumental structure on the Verde River, serving as a vital component of the region's irrigation and water supply system. With its impressive storage capacity and strategic location, this rockfill dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating risks associated with potential hazards. As a Federal-owned and Bureau of Reclamation-managed facility, Horseshoe exemplifies the dedication to ensuring water security and infrastructure resilience 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 Horseshoe -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Verde R Blw Tangle Creek | 86 cfs | → |
| Wet Bottom Creek Near Childs | · | → |
| Verde River Blw Bartlett Dam | 144 cfs | → |
| Cave Creek Blw Cottonwood Cr Near Cave Creek | · | → |
| East Verde River Near Childs | 0 cfs | → |
| New River Near Rock Springs | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Horseshoe.
Boat launches
- North Bartlett Dam Road Maricopa County
- Boat Launch Road [Fsr 185] Maricopa County
- Box Bar Shoreline Area And River Access Point
- East Saguaro Del Norte Road 469, Maricopa County
- East Saguaro Del Norte Road Maricopa County
- Rafter Take-Out Parking
Campgrounds
- Catfish Point Dispersed Camping Area
- Horseshoe Dispersed Camping
- Mesquite Dispersed Camping
- Mesquite Campground
- Ocotillo Rec And Boating Site Dispersed
- Sheep Bridge Dispersed Camping
Fishing spots
- Deadman Creek
- Bartlett Reservoir
- South Fork Deadman Creek
- North Canyon Creek
- Lake Pleasant
- Horsethief Boating Site / Day Use Area
Track Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe
Where does the data for Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe.