Maricopa Road Basin in Pinal, Arizona, serves as a vital flood risk reduction structure managed by local government authorities. Completed in 1995, this Earth dam stands at 7.7 feet high and spans 4,202 feet in length, offering a storage capacity of 123 acre-feet to safeguard the surrounding area from potential flooding events. Despite its critical purpose, the dam's condition assessment was deemed unsatisfactory during a 2018 evaluation, highlighting the need for maintenance and repairs to ensure continued effectiveness.
This high-hazard potential structure is regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to uphold safety standards. While the Maricopa Road Basin primarily serves flood risk reduction, it also provides additional benefits for fire protection, livestock, and small fish pond purposes. The dam's spillway, with a width of 13 feet, helps manage excess water flow during peak periods, underscoring the importance of proper infrastructure and maintenance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts track the evolving landscape of infrastructure, the Maricopa Road Basin stands as a critical piece of the puzzle in safeguarding communities from flooding risks. With a moderate risk assessment rating, ongoing attention and investment in maintenance and risk management measures are essential to ensure the dam's continued effectiveness in protecting the area and mitigating potential hazards associated with extreme weather events.
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