Rio Salado Town Lake dam
Rio Salado Town Lake
Located in Tempe, Arizona, Rio Salado Town Lake is a picturesque man-made reservoir along the Salt River. Completed in 1997, this recreational oasis covers a surface area of 214 acres and boasts a maximum storage capacity of 2,846 acre-feet. The dam, standing at a height of 40 feet, serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding community while providing a serene setting for outdoor activities.
Managed by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Rio Salado Town Lake is regulated and inspected to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a significant hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment, this reservoir poses a moderate risk level. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type and associated hazard, the dam continues to meet guidelines and serve as a valuable asset for water and climate enthusiasts in the region.
From its scenic location along the Salt River to its ample recreational opportunities, Rio Salado Town Lake stands as a testament to effective water resource management and environmental stewardship. With a rich history dating back to its construction in the late 1990s, this reservoir remains a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, offering a blend of natural beauty and functional infrastructure in the heart of Maricopa County.
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 Rio Salado Town Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt River At Priest Drive Near Phoenix | · | → |
| Indian Bend Wash At Curry Road | · | → |
| Salt River At 51st Avenue | 0 cfs | → |
| Verde River Near Scottsdale | 106 cfs | → |
| Gila River Near Maricopa | · | → |
| Santa Cruz River Near Laveen | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rio Salado Town Lake.
Boat launches
- East Leeward Lane 1198, Tempe
- South Las Palmas Circle 1839, Mesa
- East Mccormick Parkway 7505, Scottsdale
- East Mission Bay Drive Gilbert
- Rafter Take-Out Parking
- East Saguaro Del Norte Road 469, Maricopa County
Campgrounds
- Legacy Adventures Ministry, Inc
- Phon D Sutton
- Coon Bluff Campground
- Coon Bluff
- Regional Park - Usery Mt Ra
- Usery Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Salt River Indian Reservation Boundary To Immediately Above Granite Reef Dam Impoundment
- Lower Salt
- Boundary Of The Primary Jurisdiction Below Stewart Mountain Dam To Salt River Indian Reservation Boundary
- Lower Verde
- Southern Border Of Mazatzal Wilderness To Sheep Creek Bridge
- Red Creek To Southern Border Of Mazatzal Wilderness
Track Rio Salado Town Lake 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 Rio Salado Town Lake
Where does the data for Rio Salado Town Lake 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 Significant 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 Rio Salado Town Lake.