Horseshoe Cienega dam
Horseshoe Cienega
Horseshoe Cienega, located in Apache County, Arizona, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This Earth-type dam was completed in 1964 along Horseshoe Creek, serving as a vital water resource for the area. With a structural height of 40 feet and a length of 900 feet, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 1300 acre-feet, making it a crucial component of water management in the region.
Despite its importance, Horseshoe Cienega poses a high hazard potential due to its condition assessment being listed as "Not Available." The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the dam was last revised in 2011, indicating a need for updated preparedness measures. A risk assessment categorizes the structure as having a very high risk level, warranting attention to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam for continued water resource management.
Given its significance in water storage and regulation, efforts must be made to assess and address any potential risks associated with Horseshoe Cienega. With its location along Horseshoe Creek and the high hazard potential, proactive measures and regular inspections are imperative to safeguard the surrounding community and environment. As a key Federal-owned structure in the region, the Bureau of Indian Affairs must prioritize the maintenance and upkeep of Horseshoe Cienega to ensure the continued availability of water resources and mitigate any potential risks.
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 Cienega -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Colorado River At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| Filler Ditch At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Fort Apache | 7 cfs | → |
| Show Low Creek Near Lakeside | · | → |
| Little Colorado R Abv Lyman Lake Nr St. Johns | 0 cfs | → |
| Nutrioso Cr. Ab. Nelson Res Nr Springerville | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Horseshoe Cienega.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Lee Valley Reservoir
- Bunch Reservoir
- River Reservoir South Fishing Site
- Crescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site
- Big Lake Dam Parking Fishing Site
- Fools Hollow Lake
Paddle runs
- West Fork Little Colorado River
- Headwaters In Mount Baldy Wilderness To Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters In Mount Baldy Wilderness To 0.1 Miles Above Upper Fish Barrier
- Forest Boundary To 0.15 Miles Below Forest Road 116
- South Fork Little Colorado River
- 0.1 Miles Below Lower Fish Barrier To 1/2 Mile Above West Fork Dispersed Campground
More reservoirs
Track Horseshoe Cienega 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 Cienega
Where does the data for Horseshoe Cienega 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 Cienega.