Canyon dam
Canyon
Canyon, also known as Water Canyon, is a private-owned structure located in Apache County, Arizona. Constructed in 1886 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, irrigation, and primarily as a fish and wildlife pond. With a height of 17 feet and a length of 300 feet, Canyon has a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 9.4 acres.
Managed by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Canyon is equipped with uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates. The dam has a low hazard potential and is rated as not assessed for condition. Despite its age, Canyon has a moderate risk assessment score of 3, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. The dam is situated in a picturesque location along the Water Canyon Creek, providing vital water resources for the surrounding ecosystem.
Canyon's historical significance and ecological importance make it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As a key feature in the conservation of fish and wildlife habitats, this dam plays a crucial role in supporting biodiversity in the region. With its unique design and purpose, Canyon stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of water management practices in Arizona and the ongoing efforts to balance the needs of human development with environmental preservation.
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 Canyon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Filler Ditch At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado River At Greer | 1 cfs | → |
| Nutrioso Cr. Ab. Nelson Res Nr Springerville | 0 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado R Abv Lyman Lake Nr St. Johns | 0 cfs | → |
| East Fork White River Near Fort Apache | 7 cfs | → |
| Little Colorado R Blw Salado Springs | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Canyon.
Campgrounds
- South Fork Campground
- Benny Creek
- Benny Creek Campground
- Rolfe C. Hoyer
- Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground
- Winn Campground
Fishing spots
- River Reservoir South Fishing Site
- Bunch Reservoir
- Crescent Lake Point Area Fishing Site
- Big Lake Dam Parking Fishing Site
- Nelson Reservoir
- Lee Valley Reservoir
Paddle runs
- South Fork Little Colorado River
- State Highway 261 To 1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing
- 1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing To Confluence With Boneyard Creek
- 1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing To 1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing
- Confluence With Boneyard Creek To Confluence With Coyote Creek
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Fork Black River
More reservoirs
Track Canyon 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 Canyon
Where does the data for Canyon 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 Low 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 Canyon.