Carson River Diversion

CARSON RIVER· Churchill, Nevada· Built 1904· Concrete· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Irrigation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Carson River Diversion is classified as low hazard in Nevada. It was completed in 1904 and is 122 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 45.1% in NV)
Dam Length241 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage750 acre-ft
Normal Storage750 acre-ft
Surface Area60 acres
Drainage Area2,000 sq mi
Max Discharge30,000 cfs
Year Completed1904 (122 years old)
NID IDNV10120

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: No

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Carson River Diversion?

Carson River Diversion is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Carson River Diversion?

Carson River Diversion is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Carson River Diversion built?

Carson River Diversion was completed in 1904, making it 122 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 Carson River Diversion?

Carson River Diversion serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Carson River Diversion?

Carson River Diversion has a dam height of 21 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.

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.