Laguna Diversion

COLORADO RIVER· Imperial, Arizona· Built 1908· Rockfill· 43 ft tall
Low Hazard Debris Control Water Supply Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Laguna Diversion is classified as low hazard in Arizona. It was completed in 1908 and is 118 years old. Its primary use is debris control.

Physical Details

Dam Height 43 ft (taller than 73% in AZ)
Dam Length4,780 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage1.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage900 acre-ft
Drainage Area287,000 sq mi
Max Discharge487,000 cfs
Year Completed1908 (118 years old)
NID IDAZ10315

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 Laguna Diversion?

Laguna 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 Laguna Diversion?

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

When was Laguna Diversion built?

Laguna Diversion was completed in 1908, making it 118 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 Laguna Diversion?

Laguna Diversion serves the following purposes: Debris Control, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Laguna Diversion?

Laguna Diversion has a dam height of 43 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.