Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1

OFFSTREAM· Maricopa, Arizona· Built 1981· Earth· 30 ft tall
High Hazard Other Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1 is classified as high hazard in Arizona. It was completed in 1981 and is 45 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 Length13,400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage5.4K acre-ft
Surface Area264 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1981 (45 years old)
NID IDAZ00201

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: May 20, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Ownership

ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, PHOENIX OFFICE

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1?

Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1 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 Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1?

Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1 is owned by ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, PHOENIX OFFICE (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1 built?

Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1 was completed in 1981, making it 45 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 Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1?

Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1 serves the following purposes: Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1?

Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1 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 Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1 last inspected?

Palo Verde Evaporation Pond #1 was last inspected on May 20, 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.