Horsethief dam
Horsethief
Horsethief is a Federal-owned dam located in Black Canyon, Arizona, along the Horsethief Canyon stream. Built in 1934, this masonry dam stands at a height of 38 feet and spans 205 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 64 acre-feet and a surface area of 5 acres. Its primary purpose is for recreation, serving as a fish and wildlife pond for visitors to enjoy in the scenic Yavapai County.
Managed by the Forest Service, Horsethief Dam has a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam's condition has not been officially rated, but it undergoes inspections by the Forest Service on a regular basis. With a maximum discharge capacity of 10 cubic feet per second, the dam features an uncontrolled spillway and has not undergone significant modifications since its completion.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Horsethief Dam an intriguing structure, blending historical significance with recreational opportunities. Its location in a picturesque canyon, combined with its role in supporting fish and wildlife habitats, make it a valuable asset within the region. Visitors can explore the dam's unique design and learn about its impact on the local ecosystem, highlighting the intersection of infrastructure and natural resources in the Arizona landscape.
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 Horsethief -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Agua Fria River Near Rock Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Agua Fria River Near Mayer | 3 cfs | → |
| New River Near Rock Springs | · | → |
| Agua Fria River Near Humboldt | 2 cfs | → |
| Cave Creek Blw Cottonwood Cr Near Cave Creek | · | → |
| Hassayampa River Near Morristown | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Horsethief.
Boat launches
- Castle Creek Road Peoria
- West Peninsula Road Peoria
- Lake Pleasant 10 Lane Boat Ramp
- North Ramp Road Peoria
- Lynx Lake - South Shore Boat Ramp
- Lynx Lake Marina & Store Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Hazlett Hollow Campground
- Hazlett Hollow
- Turney Gulch Group Campground
- Kentuck Spring Campground
- Kentuck Springs
- Agua Fria National Monument Dispersed
Fishing spots
- Horsethief Lake
- Horsethief Boating Site / Day Use Area
- North Canyon Creek
- Lake Pleasant
- Upper Goldwater Lake
- Lower Goldwater Lake
Paddle runs
Track Horsethief 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 Horsethief
Where does the data for Horsethief 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 Horsethief.