Echo Canyon Dam

MEADOW VALLEY WASH· Lincoln, Nevada· Built 1970· Earth· 58 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Echo Canyon Dam is classified as high hazard in Nevada. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 58 ft (taller than 85.3% in NV)
Dam Length1,500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.5K acre-ft
Surface Area64 acres
Drainage Area200 sq mi
Max Discharge12,186 cfs
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDNV00117

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: September 12, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NEVADA DWR

Ownership

NEVADA DCNR PARKS

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Echo Canyon Dam?

Echo Canyon 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 Echo Canyon Dam?

Echo Canyon Dam is owned by NEVADA DCNR PARKS (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Echo Canyon Dam built?

Echo Canyon Dam was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Echo Canyon Dam?

Echo Canyon Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Echo Canyon Dam?

Echo Canyon Dam has a dam height of 58 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 Echo Canyon Dam last inspected?

Echo Canyon Dam was last inspected on September 12, 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.