Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam

LAS VEGAS WASH-TR· Clark, Nevada· Built 2000· Earth· 61 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam is classified as high hazard in Nevada. It was completed in 2000 and is 26 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 61 ft (taller than 86.5% in NV)
Dam Length3,073 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage691 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area139 acres
Drainage Area68 sq mi
Max Discharge148,650 cfs
Year Completed2000 (26 years old)
NID IDNV10622

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: February 23, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NEVADA DWR

Ownership

CLARK COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam?

Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam 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 Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam?

Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam is owned by CLARK COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam built?

Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam was completed in 2000, making it 26 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 Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam?

Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam 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 Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam?

Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam has a dam height of 61 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 Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam last inspected?

Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam was last inspected on February 23, 2022. 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.