North Railroad Detention Basin Dam dam
North Railroad Detention Basin Dam
The North Railroad Detention Basin Dam, located in Boulder City, Nevada, is a crucial structure designed by MWH AMERICAS INC. in 2007 to reduce flood risks along the Unnamed Wash. This earth dam stands at a height of 25.8 feet with a hydraulic height of 19.5 feet, serving its primary purpose of flood risk reduction effectively. With a storage capacity of 121.4 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 6500 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation during heavy rainfall events.
The dam, with a spillway width of 450 feet, is classified as having a high hazard potential but is currently in fair condition as of the last assessment in May 2021. The structure features uncontrolled outlet gates and is under the regulatory oversight of the Nevada DWR, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures. Despite its moderate risk rating, the North Railroad Detention Basin Dam remains a reliable defense against flooding, safeguarding the community and infrastructure in Clark County, Nevada.
As an essential component of flood risk management in the region, the North Railroad Detention Basin Dam exemplifies the importance of strategic infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events and safeguard water resources. With its significant capacity and effective design, the dam stands as a testament to proactive measures taken to address climate-related challenges and protect communities from potential disasters. Its presence underscores the critical role that such structures play in promoting resilience and sustainability in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 North Railroad Detention Basin Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Wash Overflow At Lake Las Vegas Inlet | · | → |
| Lv Wash Ab Three Kids Wash Blw Henderson | 278 cfs | → |
| Las Vegas Wash At Pabco Rd Nr Henderson | 210 cfs | → |
| Lv Wash Blw Lake Las Vegas Nr Boulder City Nv | 301 cfs | → |
| Duck Ck At Broadbent Blvd At East Las Vegas | 9 cfs | → |
| Las Vegas Wash At Vegas Valley Dr Nr Las Vegas | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Railroad Detention Basin Dam.
Track North Railroad Detention Basin 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 North Railroad Detention Basin Dam
Where does the data for North Railroad Detention Basin 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 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 North Railroad Detention Basin Dam.