Alamo Dam dam
Alamo Dam
Alamo Dam, also known as Alamo Lake, is a federal-owned earth dam located on the Bill Williams River in Mohave County, Arizona. Completed in 1968, the dam stands at 283 feet tall and has a storage capacity of 1,409,000 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, but it also serves as a recreational spot and fish and wildlife pond. The dam has a high hazard potential and was classified as a high risk in a 2020 assessment, primarily due to the potential for overtopping during extreme flood events, with estimated consequences on nearby communities in Arizona and California totaling over $2.5 billion.
To manage and mitigate the risks associated with Alamo Dam, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has implemented various measures. These include closely collaborating with federal, state, and local emergency managers, conducting regular emergency exercises, monitoring rainfall forecasts to anticipate high water events, and engaging with local communities to enhance flood preparedness. USACE also conducts regular inspections, instrument monitoring, and maintenance to ensure the dam's structural integrity and performance. Future risk communication activities involve updating the Emergency Action Plan, coordinating with first responders, and developing a formal Risk Communication Plan to keep the public informed and safe in case of emergencies. With these efforts, USACE aims to reduce the risk to the public and ensure the safety and resilience of Alamo Dam.
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 Alamo Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bill Williams River Below Alamo Dam | 31 cfs | → |
| Santa Maria River Near Bagdad | 1 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy River Near Wikieup | 3 cfs | → |
| Burro Creek At Old Us 93 Bridge Nr Bagdad | · | → |
| Bill Williams River Near Parker | 5 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Below Parker Dam | 2,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alamo Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
Track Alamo 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 Alamo Dam
Where does the data for Alamo 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 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 Alamo Dam.