Ortega Lake Retention

BROWN CREEK· Apache, Arizona· Built 1987· Earth· 19 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Ortega Lake Retention is classified as low hazard in Arizona. It was completed in 1987 and is 39 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 28.3% in AZ)
Dam Length2,260 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage530 acre-ft
Normal Storage530 acre-ft
Surface Area94 acres
Drainage Area34 sq mi
Year Completed1987 (39 years old)
NID IDAZ00190

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ortega Lake Retention?

Ortega Lake Retention 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 Ortega Lake Retention?

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

When was Ortega Lake Retention built?

Ortega Lake Retention was completed in 1987, making it 39 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 Ortega Lake Retention?

Ortega Lake Retention serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Ortega Lake Retention?

Ortega Lake Retention has a dam height of 19 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 Ortega Lake Retention last inspected?

Ortega Lake Retention 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.