Stewart Mountain dam
Stewart Mountain
Stewart Mountain, a Federal-owned structure located in Mesa, Arizona, serves as a crucial water resource along the Salt River. Constructed in 1929 by the Bureau of Reclamation, this concrete dam stands at a height of 207 feet, with a storage capacity of 70,070 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,265 acres. With a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, Stewart Mountain also supports irrigation and water supply needs in the region.
The dam has undergone modifications in 1992 to enhance its hydraulic, seismic, and structural capabilities. With a hazard potential rated as high and a very high risk assessment score, Stewart Mountain is closely monitored by the Bureau of Reclamation. Although the condition assessment is not currently available, regular inspections are conducted to ensure the dam's safety and functionality. Additionally, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is in place, last revised in December 2020, to address any potential risks or emergencies.
As a significant infrastructure for water management and energy production, Stewart Mountain plays a vital role in the water resources and climate resilience of the region. With its impressive height, storage capacity, and historical significance, this dam stands as a testament to the enduring importance of water infrastructure in sustaining communities and ecosystems in Arizona.
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 Stewart Mountain -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt River Blw Stewart Mountain Dam | 567 cfs | → |
| Verde River Near Scottsdale | 106 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek Near Fort Mcdowell | · | → |
| Verde River Blw Bartlett Dam | 145 cfs | → |
| Indian Bend Wash At Curry Road | · | → |
| Queen Creek Below Whitlow Dam Nr Superior | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stewart Mountain.
Boat launches
- East Saguaro Del Norte Road 469, Maricopa County
- East Saguaro Del Norte Road Maricopa County
- Rafter Take-Out Parking
- Apache Trail Maricopa County
- Laguna Boat Ramp
- Box Bar Shoreline Area And River Access Point
Campgrounds
- The Rolls Ohv Area - Butcher Jones Access
- Larry Forbis Group Site
- Bagley Flat
- Bagley Flat Campground And Boat Dock
- Bulldog Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Area
- Coon Bluff
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Boundary Of The Primary Jurisdiction Below Stewart Mountain Dam To Salt River Indian Reservation Boundary
- Lower Salt
- Salt River Indian Reservation Boundary To Immediately Above Granite Reef Dam Impoundment
- Lower Verde
- Telegraph Creek - Forest Road #4 To Confluence With Arnett Creek
- Arnett Creek - Forest Road #4 To Middle Of Sec 7,T2s, R12e
Track Stewart Mountain 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 Stewart Mountain
Where does the data for Stewart Mountain 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 Stewart Mountain.