Red Rock Detention Dam dam
Red Rock Detention Dam
Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Red Rock Detention Dam stands as a crucial flood risk reduction structure along the Red Rock Wash. Constructed in 1987 by the USA Corps of Engineers, this earth dam measures 63 feet in height and stretches 4090 feet in length. With a maximum discharge capacity of 110,198 cubic feet per second and a spillway width of 923 feet, the dam serves as a critical defense against potential flooding in the region.
The Red Rock Detention Dam is regulated and inspected by the Nevada Department of Water Resources, ensuring that it meets safety standards and remains in fair condition. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is considered moderate, with emergency action plans in place. With a storage capacity of 1,860 acre-feet and a surface area of 76 acres, this structure plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from the impacts of extreme weather events and climate variability.
As a significant component of flood management in the region, the Red Rock Detention Dam serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts between local governments and state agencies to mitigate flood risks and safeguard water resources. Its strategic location and design highlight the importance of infrastructure in adapting to the changing climate and ensuring the resilience of communities in the face of natural disasters.
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 Red Rock Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flamingo Wash At Nellis Blvd Nr Las Vegas | 4 cfs | → |
| Sloan Channel Tr At Las Vegas Blvd Nr N Las Vegas | · | → |
| Las Vegas Wash Nr Sahara Ave Nr Las Vegas | 2 cfs | → |
| Lv Wash Blw Flamingo Wash Confl Nr Las Vegas | 212 cfs | → |
| Sloan Channel At Charleston Blvd Nr Las Vegas | 1 cfs | → |
| Las Vegas Wash At Vegas Valley Dr Nr Las Vegas | 68 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Red Rock Detention Dam.
Campgrounds
Track Red Rock Detention Dam 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 Red Rock Detention Dam
Where does the data for Red Rock Detention Dam 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 Red Rock Detention Dam.