Number 7 dam
Number 7
Number 7 is a private earth dam located in Pima, Arizona, with a height of 189 feet and a length of 15,441 feet. The dam serves the primary purpose of storing tailings, with a maximum storage capacity of 306,000 acre-feet. Despite being privately owned and not regulated by the state, Number 7 poses a high hazard potential, indicating the potential for significant damage and loss in the event of a failure.
Managed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, Number 7 has not undergone a recent condition assessment, leaving its current state unknown. With no Emergency Action Plan in place or updated emergency contacts, the dam lacks crucial preparedness measures for potential incidents. The absence of risk assessment and management measures further highlight the need for increased monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure for surrounding communities and the environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Number 7 presents a significant case study in the importance of proper dam management and regulation. As a high hazard dam with unknown condition assessment and emergency preparedness, it underscores the potential risks associated with aging infrastructure and the critical need for proactive monitoring and maintenance to prevent catastrophic failures and protect water resources and ecosystems.
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 Number 7 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz River At Continental | · | → |
| Santa Cruz Nr Amado | 0 cfs | → |
| Santa Cruz River At Tubac | · | → |
| Brawley Wash Near Three Points | · | → |
| Altar Wash Near Three Points | · | → |
| Santa Cruz River At Tucson | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Number 7.
Campgrounds
- Bog Springs
- Bog Springs Campground
- Kent Springs Cabin
- Snyder Hill Dispersed
- Kentucky Camp Dispersed Camping Area
- Kentucky Camp Cabin
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Cienega Creek
- Pusch Ridge Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Cañada Del Oro
- Ruby Road (Forest Road 39) To Us/Mexico Border
- Headwaters To Pusch Ridge Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters To 1/4 Mile South Of Forest Road 736
- Wilderness Boundary To Coronado National Forest Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Number 7 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 Number 7
Where does the data for Number 7 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 Number 7.