Granite Reef Diversion dam
Granite Reef Diversion
Granite Reef Diversion, located on the Salt River in Arizona, is a federal-owned structure managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Built in 1907, this concrete dam stands at a height of 29 feet and serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with a storage capacity of 700 acre-feet. The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, making it a crucial infrastructure for water resource management in the region.
Despite being an older structure, Granite Reef Diversion continues to play a vital role in regulating water flow and providing irrigation water to the surrounding areas. With a maximum discharge capacity of 165,000 cubic feet per second, the dam ensures the efficient distribution of water for agricultural activities. The moderate risk assessment indicates the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of the dam for years to come.
Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, Granite Reef Diversion operates with a low hazard potential and has not been significantly modified since its completion. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam's historical significance and continued operation highlight its essential role in water management and climate resilience efforts in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the importance of structures like Granite Reef Diversion is crucial for sustainable water management practices and preserving our natural resources.
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 Granite Reef Diversion -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Verde River Near Scottsdale | 106 cfs | → |
| Salt River Blw Stewart Mountain Dam | 652 cfs | → |
| Indian Bend Wash At Curry Road | · | → |
| Sycamore Creek Near Fort Mcdowell | · | → |
| Salt River At Priest Drive Near Phoenix | · | → |
| Verde River Blw Bartlett Dam | 144 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Granite Reef Diversion.
Boat launches
- Rafter Take-Out Parking
- East Saguaro Del Norte Road 469, Maricopa County
- East Saguaro Del Norte Road Maricopa County
- East Mission Bay Drive Gilbert
- East Mccormick Parkway 7505, Scottsdale
- South Las Palmas Circle 1839, Mesa
Campgrounds
- Phon D Sutton
- Coon Bluff
- Coon Bluff Campground
- Usery Park Campground
- Regional Park - Usery Mt Ra
- Usery Mountain
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Salt River Indian Reservation Boundary To Immediately Above Granite Reef Dam Impoundment
- Lower Salt
- Boundary Of The Primary Jurisdiction Below Stewart Mountain Dam To Salt River Indian Reservation Boundary
- Lower Verde
- Telegraph Creek - Forest Road #4 To Confluence With Arnett Creek
- Arnett Creek - Forest Road #4 To Middle Of Sec 7,T2s, R12e
Track Granite Reef Diversion 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 Granite Reef Diversion
Where does the data for Granite Reef Diversion 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 Granite Reef Diversion.