Aspen (No. 6)

VERDE RIVER - TR· Maricopa, Arizona· Built 1973· Earth· 30 ft tall

High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Aspen (No. 6) is classified as high hazard in Arizona. It was completed in 1973 and is 53 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	30 ft (taller than 51.1% in AZ)
Dam Length	840 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	324 acre-ft
Normal Storage	0 acre-ft

Surface Area	17 acres
Drainage Area	2 sq mi
Max Discharge	15,830 cfs
Year Completed	1973 (53 years old)
NID ID	AZ00075

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: December 8, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Ownership

TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS

Local Government

Nearby Dams

North Heights (No. 11)

Maricopa, AZ

High Hazard 34 ft

Hesperus Wash (No. 36)

Maricopa, AZ

High Hazard 36 ft

Stoneridge (No. 19)

Maricopa, AZ

High Hazard 25 ft

Sunridge Canyon (No. 7)

Maricopa, AZ

High Hazard 44 ft

Fountain Lake

Maricopa, AZ

High Hazard 31 ft

Golden Eagle Park (No. 4)

Maricopa, AZ

High Hazard 20 ft

Granite Reef Diversion

Maricopa, AZ

Low Hazard 29 ft

Red Mountain Freeway Levee

Maricopa, AZ

High Hazard 16 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Aspen (No. 6)?

Aspen (No. 6) is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Aspen (No. 6)?

Aspen (No. 6) is owned by TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Aspen (No. 6) built?

Aspen (No. 6) was completed in 1973, making it 53 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Aspen (No. 6)?

Aspen (No. 6) serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Aspen (No. 6)?

Aspen (No. 6) has a dam height of 30 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Aspen (No. 6) last inspected?

Aspen (No. 6) was last inspected on December 8, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.