Little Hell's Canyon
Key Takeaway
Little Hell's Canyon is classified as high hazard in Arizona. It was completed in 1951 and is 75 years old. Its primary use is other. 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 | 30 ft (taller than 51.1% in AZ) |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| Max Storage | 1.5K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 65 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12 acres |
| Drainage Area | 54 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,000 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1951 (75 years old) |
| NID ID | AZ00215 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
State Government
Nearby Dams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Little Hell's Canyon?
Little Hell's Canyon 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 Little Hell's Canyon?
Little Hell's Canyon is owned by ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Little Hell's Canyon built?
Little Hell's Canyon was completed in 1951, making it 75 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 Little Hell's Canyon?
Little Hell's Canyon serves the following purposes: Other, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Little Hell's Canyon?
Little Hell's Canyon has a dam height of 30 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 Little Hell's Canyon last inspected?
Little Hell's Canyon was last inspected on April 16, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.