Railroad Tank Dam dam
Railroad Tank Dam
Railroad Tank Dam, located in Coconino, Arizona, is a significant water resource structure with a primary purpose of serving as a fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Built in 1900 by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company, this earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and spans a length of 1000 feet. With a storage capacity of 250 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 165 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Forest Service, Railroad Tank Dam is used for various purposes including flood risk reduction and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement. The dam's spillway, with a width of 10 feet, is designed as uncontrolled, and the structure has a high hazard potential due to its location near Brannigan Park. Despite its age, the condition of the dam is currently not rated, and it undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, Railroad Tank Dam remains an integral part of the water infrastructure in the region and a key player in water resource management and conservation efforts.
As an essential water resource structure in Arizona, Railroad Tank Dam serves as a vital component in the local ecosystem, providing water for firefighting, livestock, and recreational purposes. With its historical significance and critical role in flood control and wildlife conservation, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of climate change and increasing water demands. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, it is imperative to recognize the value of structures like Railroad Tank Dam in preserving and protecting our precious water resources for future generations.
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 Railroad Tank Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Creek Near Sedona | 27 cfs | → |
| Verde River Near Clarkdale | 58 cfs | → |
| Oak Creek Near Cornville | 23 cfs | → |
| Verde River Near Paulden | 16 cfs | → |
| Dry Beaver Creek Near Rimrock | · | → |
| Wet Beaver Creek Near Rimrock | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Railroad Tank Dam.
Campgrounds
- Pine View Rv Military - Camp Navajo
- Wing Mountain Dispersed Camping
- Spring Valley Cabin
- 2018 Pecos Conference Campground
- Coconino Free Camping
- Freidlein Prairie Dispersed Camping
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Parsons Spring To Confluence Of The Verde River
- Headwaters In Sec 14, T19n, R5e To Confluence With Oak Creek
- Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery To Private Land In Sec 5, T17n,R6e
- Indian Gardens
- Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness Boundary To Private Land In Sec 32, T15n, R6e
- Headwaters In Sec 16, T15n, R8e To Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Railroad Tank 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 Railroad Tank Dam
Where does the data for Railroad Tank 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 Railroad Tank Dam.