Duck Creek Lower Detention Dam dam
Duck Creek Lower Detention Dam
Duck Creek Lower Detention Dam, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a key structure owned by the local government to manage flood risk along the Las Vegas Wash-TR. Designed by Montgomery Watson and completed in 1999, this earth dam stands at 30 feet high with a hydraulic height of 22 feet. It has a storage capacity of 1050 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 65 acres, serving as a critical flood risk reduction measure in the region.
With a spillway width of 414 feet and uncontrolled outlet gates, Duck Creek Lower Detention Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in October 2021. While the dam is regulated and permitted by the Nevada Division of Water Resources, it is important to note that it has not undergone any modifications in recent years. Despite the moderate risk associated with this structure, the local government and relevant agencies have not prepared an Emergency Action Plan meeting guidelines, highlighting the need for further risk management measures to ensure the safety and resilience of the dam in the face of potential emergencies.
Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate adaptation will find Duck Creek Lower Detention Dam to be a fascinating case study of flood risk reduction infrastructure in a dynamic urban environment. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water management systems, the maintenance and operation of structures like Duck Creek Lower Detention Dam will be crucial in safeguarding communities against the increasing threat of extreme weather events and flooding in the region.
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 Duck Creek Lower Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Duck Ck At Broadbent Blvd At East Las Vegas | 9 cfs | → |
| Flamingo Wash At Nellis Blvd Nr Las Vegas | 4 cfs | → |
| Lv Wash Blw Flamingo Wash Confl Nr Las Vegas | 212 cfs | → |
| Las Vegas Wash At Vegas Valley Dr Nr Las Vegas | 68 cfs | → |
| Las Vegas Wash Nr Sahara Ave Nr Las Vegas | 2 cfs | → |
| Las Vegas Wash At Pabco Rd Nr Henderson | 369 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Duck Creek Lower Detention Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Duck Creek Lower 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 Duck Creek Lower Detention Dam
Where does the data for Duck Creek Lower 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 Duck Creek Lower Detention Dam.