Oakey Detention Dam dam
Oakey Detention Dam
Oakey Detention Dam, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a crucial piece of infrastructure designed for flood risk reduction along the Las Vegas Wash. Owned by the local government, this earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet with a hydraulic height of 14 feet. With a storage capacity of 271 acre-feet, the dam plays a vital role in controlling water flow and protecting the surrounding areas from potential flooding.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the condition of Oakey Detention Dam is assessed as fair, with the last inspection conducted in May 2021. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. While the risk assessment is moderate, measures for risk management and emergency preparedness are not explicitly outlined. As a key structure in flood control, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Oakey Detention Dam for the community it serves.
Overall, Oakey Detention Dam serves as a critical asset for water resource management in the region, highlighting the importance of infrastructure in mitigating flood risks and protecting communities from potential disasters. With its strategic location and design, this dam is a key component in the overall water management system in the Las Vegas area, emphasizing the need for continued attention and investment in maintaining its functionality and safety for the future.
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 Oakey Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flamingo Wash At Nellis Blvd Nr Las Vegas | 4 cfs | → |
| Las Vegas Wash Nr Sahara Ave Nr Las Vegas | 2 cfs | → |
| Lv Wash Blw Flamingo Wash Confl Nr Las Vegas | 212 cfs | → |
| Sloan Channel Tr At Las Vegas Blvd Nr N Las Vegas | · | → |
| Sloan Channel At Charleston Blvd Nr Las Vegas | 1 cfs | → |
| Las Vegas Wash At Vegas Valley Dr Nr Las Vegas | 68 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oakey Detention Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Oakey Detention 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 Oakey Detention Dam
Where does the data for Oakey Detention 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 Oakey Detention Dam.