Dry Creek Dam

DRY CREEK· Elko, Nevada· Built 1961· Earth· 50 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Dry Creek Dam is classified as low hazard in Nevada. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 50 ft (taller than 80.7% in NV)
Dam Length1,218 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.9K acre-ft
Surface Area110 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge1,118 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDNV00042

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
Last Inspection: July 24, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NEVADA DWR

Ownership

PETAN COMPANY OF NEVADA INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dry Creek Dam?

Dry Creek Dam 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 Dry Creek Dam?

Dry Creek Dam is owned by PETAN COMPANY OF NEVADA INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dry Creek Dam built?

Dry Creek Dam was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Dry Creek Dam?

Dry Creek Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Dry Creek Dam?

Dry Creek Dam has a dam height of 50 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 Dry Creek Dam last inspected?

Dry Creek Dam was last inspected on July 24, 2023. 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.