Phoenix Detention Basin #7 dam
Phoenix Detention Basin #7
Phoenix Detention Basin #7, located in Maricopa County, Arizona, serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure along the Cave Creek - TR stream. Constructed in 1978, this earth dam stands at a height of 22.6 feet with a structural height of 31.3 feet, offering a storage capacity of 272 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 5600 cfs. With a spillway width of 100 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type, the basin is designed to efficiently manage excess water during periods of heavy rainfall, safeguarding the surrounding areas from potential flooding hazards.
Owned and regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Phoenix Detention Basin #7 undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with a moderate risk level of 3. The basin's location in Phoenix, paired with its modern design and effective risk management measures, underscores its importance in protecting the local community from the adverse impacts of extreme weather events. Overall, this detention basin stands as a testament to Arizona's commitment to water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Phoenix Detention Basin #7 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skunk Creek Near Phoenix | · | → |
| Salt River At Priest Drive Near Phoenix | · | → |
| Indian Bend Wash At Curry Road | · | → |
| Salt River At 51st Avenue | 0 cfs | → |
| Cave Creek Blw Cottonwood Cr Near Cave Creek | · | → |
| Verde River Near Scottsdale | 106 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Phoenix Detention Basin #7.
Boat launches
- East Mccormick Parkway 7505, Scottsdale
- East Leeward Lane 1198, Tempe
- South Las Palmas Circle 1839, Mesa
- North Ramp Road Peoria
- Lake Pleasant 10 Lane Boat Ramp
- West Peninsula Road Peoria
Campgrounds
- Cave Creek Rec Area
- Rooadrunner Campground
- Mcdowell Mountain
- Desert Tortoise Campground
- Host
- Raccoon Camp
Fishing spots
Track Phoenix Detention Basin #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 Phoenix Detention Basin #7
Where does the data for Phoenix Detention Basin #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 Phoenix Detention Basin #7.