Central Detention dam
Central Detention
Central Detention, located in Graham, Arizona, is a crucial flood risk reduction structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1948. This earth dam stands at 22 feet high and spans 1650 feet, holding a storage capacity of 1190 acre-feet along the Central Wash. Despite its vital purpose, the dam is marked with a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, emphasizing the urgent need for maintenance and upgrades to ensure its effectiveness in mitigating flooding in the region.
Operated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Central Detention is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's spillway, uncontrolled outlet gates, and unmanaged overflow raise concerns for its structural integrity and its ability to handle a maximum discharge of 2100 cubic feet per second. With its location in a high-risk area and the moderate risk assessment rating, it is essential for authorities and stakeholders to prioritize risk management measures and emergency preparedness to safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor Central Detention's condition and effectiveness in flood control, the collaboration between local government and private stakeholders becomes paramount in addressing the dam's maintenance needs and ensuring its long-term resilience. With the involvement of the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the USDA NRCS, there is an opportunity to implement sustainable solutions that enhance the dam's performance, reduce risks, and protect the Central Wash watershed for future generations.
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 Central Detention -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Frye Creek Near Thatcher | 1 cfs | → |
| Gila River At Head Of Safford Valley | 36 cfs | → |
| Bonita Creek Near Morenci | 2 cfs | → |
| Eagle Creek Above Pumping Plant | 39 cfs | → |
| Gila River Near Clifton | 17 cfs | → |
| San Francisco River At Clifton | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Central Detention.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Roper Lake State Park
- Columbine Corrals
- Columbine Corrals Campground
- Cunningham
- Cunningham Campground
- Upper Hospital Flat Dispersed Camping Area
Track Central Detention 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 Central Detention
Where does the data for Central Detention 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 Central Detention.