Russell Tank Dam dam
Russell Tank Dam
Russell Tank Dam, located in Coconino County, Arizona, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the USDA Forest Service. Built in 1930, this Earth-type dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond habitat. With a height of 30 feet and a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet, the dam sits on TRIB. CATARACT WASH, providing critical water resources for the surrounding area.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Russell Tank Dam has not been rated for its condition. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 50 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 540 cubic feet per second. The structure has not been modified in recent years and is inspected every 10 years to ensure its integrity.
Although the dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan in place, its strategic location in SUPAI serves as a vital water resource for both wildlife and recreational purposes. As climate change continues to impact water availability in the region, Russell Tank Dam stands as a key infrastructure for maintaining water security and ecological balance in Coconino 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 Russell Tank Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Colorado River Near Cameron | · | → |
| Colorado River Near Grand Canyon | 7,220 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado River Abv Mouth Nr Desert View | 206 cfs | → |
| Moenkopi Wash At Moenkopi | 1 cfs | → |
| Havasu Creek At Supai | 76 cfs | → |
| Dinnebito Wash Near Sand Springs | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Russell Tank Dam.
Campgrounds
- Hull Cabin
- Horseshoe Mesa Camp
- Desert View Campground
- Desert View - Grand Canyon National Park
- Ten-X Campground (Usfs)
- Tenx
Fishing spots
- Russell Tank
- Bright Angel Creek
- Little Colorado River
- Dogtown Reservoir
- Mclellan Reservoir
- White Horse Lake
Paddle runs
- Begins 1 Mile Below The Redwall In Both Of The Main Arms To Confluence With The Colorado River
- Begins 2.3 Miles Upstream From Confluence With Colorado River To Confluence With The Colorado River
- Red Canyon To Confluence With Kanab Creek
- The Redwall To Confluence With The Colorado River
- The Base Of The Redwall To Confluence With The Colorado River
Track Russell 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 Russell Tank Dam
Where does the data for Russell 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 Low 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 Russell Tank Dam.