Lyman Dam

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER· Greenlee, Arizona· Built 1912· Rockfill· 60 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lyman Dam is classified as high hazard in Arizona. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 Length800 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage44.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage30.6K acre-ft
Surface Area1,324 acres
Drainage Area790 sq mi
Max Discharge15,000 cfs
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDAZ00004

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 28, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Ownership

ARIZONA STATE PARKS;GROVERS HILL IRRIGATION DISTRICT

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lyman Dam?

Lyman 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 Lyman Dam?

Lyman Dam is owned by ARIZONA STATE PARKS;GROVERS HILL IRRIGATION DISTRICT (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lyman Dam built?

Lyman Dam was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Lyman Dam?

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

How tall is Lyman Dam?

Lyman Dam 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 Lyman Dam last inspected?

Lyman Dam was last inspected on September 28, 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.