Sierrita dam
Sierrita
Sierrita is a private water resource structure located in Pima, Arizona, specifically in the city of Green Valley. This earth dam, standing at a height of 350 feet and stretching 9000 feet in length, serves the primary purpose of managing tailings. With a storage capacity of 995,063 acre-feet, Sierrita has a high hazard potential and falls under the regulatory oversight of the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Despite its critical role in water management, key details such as the year of completion, condition assessment, and emergency preparedness information are currently unavailable.
Situated in a region vulnerable to climate change impacts and water scarcity challenges, Sierrita plays a crucial role in safeguarding water resources in the area. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency response planning to ensure the safety and resilience of this vital structure. With its strategic location in Pima County and close proximity to the Los Angeles District, Sierrita serves as a significant asset in water resource management efforts in the region.
Enthusiasts and experts in water resources and climate will find Sierrita to be a compelling case study in dam infrastructure and water management practices. As discussions on climate resilience and sustainable water use continue to gain prominence, the importance of maintaining and monitoring structures like Sierrita cannot be understated. By staying informed about the latest updates and developments related to Sierrita, stakeholders can contribute to the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of this critical water resource facility.
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 Sierrita -- 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 | · | → |
| Altar Wash Near Three Points | · | → |
| Brawley Wash Near Three Points | · | → |
| Pantano Wash Near Vail | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sierrita.
Campgrounds
- Bog Springs
- Bog Springs Campground
- Kent Springs Cabin
- Kentucky Camp Dispersed Camping Area
- Kentucky Camp Cabin
- Snyder Hill Dispersed
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Cienega Creek
- Ruby Road (Forest Road 39) To Us/Mexico Border
- Pusch Ridge Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Cañada Del Oro
- 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 Sierrita 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 Sierrita
Where does the data for Sierrita 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 Sierrita.