Ryan Detention Dam dam
Ryan Detention Dam
Ryan Detention Dam, located in Solomon, Arizona, is a federal structure managed by the Bureau of Land Management and designed for flood risk reduction along the Ryan Draw river. Built in 1967, this gravity dam stands at a hydraulic height of 34 feet and a structural height of 37 feet, with a length of 2000 feet and a storage capacity of 435 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam has a moderate risk rating, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and management measures.
While the dam does not fall under state regulation or jurisdiction, it is inspected every five years, with the last inspection conducted in July 2015. With an uncontrolled spillway and a surface area of 38 acres, Ryan Detention Dam serves as a crucial infrastructure for mitigating flood risks in the region. Its primary purpose and design focus on flood risk reduction, showcasing the importance of such structures in maintaining water resource sustainability and climate resilience in arid regions like Arizona.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the role of dams like Ryan Detention Dam becomes increasingly vital in managing flood risks and ensuring water security for local communities. With an emphasis on risk assessment and management, as well as regular inspections and maintenance, this federal dam serves as a critical piece of infrastructure in safeguarding against the potential impacts of extreme weather events and climate variability in the region.
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 Ryan Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gila River At Duncan | 12 cfs | → |
| Gila River At Head Of Safford Valley | 24 cfs | → |
| Frye Creek Near Thatcher | 1 cfs | → |
| Bonita Creek Near Morenci | 2 cfs | → |
| Gila River Near Clifton | 15 cfs | → |
| Gila River Below Blue Creek | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ryan Detention Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Hot Well Dunes Campground
- Hot Well Dunes
- Hackel Road Dispersed
- Roper Lake State Park
- Upper Arcadia Group Site
- Arcadia Campground
Track Ryan Detention 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 Ryan Detention Dam
Where does the data for Ryan Detention 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 Ryan Detention Dam.