Fool Hollow

SHOW LOW CREEK· Navajo, Arizona· Built 1956· Rockfill· 60 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Fool Hollow is classified as high hazard in Arizona. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 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 60 ft (taller than 82.7% in AZ)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage5.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.2K acre-ft
Surface Area152 acres
Drainage Area102 sq mi
Max Discharge15,300 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDAZ00051

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: October 1, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Ownership

ARIZONA GAME & FISH DEPARTMENT

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fool Hollow?

Fool Hollow 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 Fool Hollow?

Fool Hollow is owned by ARIZONA GAME & FISH DEPARTMENT (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fool Hollow built?

Fool Hollow was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Fool Hollow?

Fool Hollow serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Fool Hollow?

Fool Hollow has a dam height of 60 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 Fool Hollow last inspected?

Fool Hollow was last inspected on October 1, 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.