Little Ortega Dam

BROWN CREEK· Apache, Arizona· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Local Government

Key Takeaway

Little Ortega Dam is classified as low hazard in Arizona. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 9.8% in AZ)
Dam Length974 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage120 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
NID IDAZ00300

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: April 23, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Ownership

SILVER CREEK FLOOD PROTECTION DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Ortega Lake Retention

Apache, AZ

Low Hazard 19 ft

Patterson

Apache, AZ

Low Hazard 17 ft

Scott

Navajo, AZ

Significant Hazard 38 ft

Jacques Marsh

Navajo, AZ

Significant Hazard 9 ft

Daggs

Navajo, AZ

High Hazard 57 ft

Jaques

Navajo, AZ

High Hazard 65 ft

Lake of The Woods

Navajo, AZ

Low Hazard 10 ft

Lakeside

Navajo, AZ

Significant Hazard 21 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Little Ortega Dam?

Little Ortega 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 Little Ortega Dam?

Little Ortega Dam is owned by SILVER CREEK FLOOD PROTECTION DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Little Ortega Dam?

Little Ortega Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, 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 Ortega Dam?

Little Ortega Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Ortega Dam last inspected?

Little Ortega Dam was last inspected on April 23, 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.