Little Hell's Canyon dam
Little Hell's Canyon
Little Hell's Canyon is a state-regulated dam located in Yavapai, Arizona, with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. Completed in 1951, this rockfill dam stands at 30 feet high and spans 500 feet in length, with a capacity to store 1545 acre-feet of water. Situated on the Little Hell Canyon river, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and environmental conservation in the region.
Owned and regulated by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Little Hell's Canyon dam boasts a satisfactory condition assessment, with a high hazard potential due to its location. The dam's spillway, with a width of 29 feet, is uncontrolled, and it has a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the dam continues to meet regulatory standards and undergo regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. This reservoir not only provides essential water storage but also contributes to the local ecosystem and wildlife habitat.
With a surface area of 12 acres and a drainage area of 53.7 square miles, Little Hell's Canyon dam serves as a critical water source for the surrounding area. Managed and maintained by state authorities, this dam represents a pivotal piece of infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Yavapai County, Arizona. As a key player in the state's water regulatory system, Little Hell's Canyon stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices 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 Little Hell's Canyon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Verde River Near Paulden | 16 cfs | → |
| Del Rio Springs Near Chino Valley | 0 cfs | → |
| Williamson Valley Wash Near Paulden | · | → |
| Verde River Near Clarkdale | 60 cfs | → |
| Granite Creek Blw Watson Lake Nr Prescott | · | → |
| Granite Creek Near Prescott | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Hell's Canyon.
Campgrounds
- Dogtown Lake
- Dogtown Lake Campground
- Kaibab Lake Campground
- Kaibab Lake
- Kaibab Lake Campground And Group Areas
- White Horse Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Parsons Spring To Confluence Of The Verde River
- Headwaters In Sec 14, T19n, R5e To Confluence With Oak Creek
- Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery To Private Land In Sec 5, T17n,R6e
- Indian Gardens
- White Bridge To Beasley Flat
- Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness Boundary To Private Land In Sec 32, T15n, R6e
More reservoirs
Track Little Hell's 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 Little Hell's Canyon
Where does the data for Little Hell's 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 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 Little Hell's Canyon.