Rancho Detention Basin Dam dam
Rancho Detention Basin Dam
Rancho Detention Basin Dam, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, was completed in 2008 with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Las Vegas Wash-TR river or stream. Owned and regulated by local government authorities with oversight from the Nevada Department of Water Resources, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and has a hydraulic height of 22 feet. With a storage capacity of 323 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 18,160 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow in the region.
This multi-arch dam spans 550 feet in length and covers a surface area of 20 acres, serving as a vital infrastructure in mitigating flood hazards in the area. Despite being classified with a high hazard potential due to its location, the dam's condition assessment as of May 2021 was deemed fair. With one uncontrolled outlet gate and a spillway width matching the dam length, Rancho Detention Basin Dam is equipped to handle significant water volumes during peak flow events. Regular inspections and enforcement measures ensure the dam's operational readiness and reliability in safeguarding the surrounding community.
As a critical component of the flood risk reduction strategy in Clark County, Nevada, Rancho Detention Basin Dam remains a key infrastructure asset in protecting the city of Las Vegas from potential water-related disasters. With state-mandated permitting and inspection protocols in place, the dam continues to meet regulatory standards and contribute to the overall resilience of the region's water resource management system. As climate change impacts intensify, the role of such structures in maintaining water security and disaster preparedness becomes increasingly vital for sustainable development and community safety.
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 Rancho Detention Basin Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sloan Channel Tr At Las Vegas Blvd Nr N Las Vegas | · | → |
| Flamingo Wash At Nellis Blvd Nr Las Vegas | 4 cfs | → |
| Sloan Channel At Charleston Blvd Nr Las Vegas | 1 cfs | → |
| Las Vegas Wash Nr Sahara Ave Nr Las Vegas | 2 cfs | → |
| Lv Wash Blw Flamingo Wash Confl Nr Las Vegas | 212 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 Rancho Detention Basin Dam.
Campgrounds
Track Rancho Detention Basin 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 Rancho Detention Basin Dam
Where does the data for Rancho Detention Basin 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 Rancho Detention Basin Dam.