Rio Salado Town Lake

SALT RIVER· Maricopa, Arizona· Built 1997· Other· 15 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Rio Salado Town Lake is classified as significant hazard in Arizona. It was completed in 1997 and is 29 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 18.2% in AZ)
Dam Length902 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage2.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.4K acre-ft
Surface Area214 acres
Drainage Area13,000 sq mi
Max Discharge215,000 cfs
Year Completed1997 (29 years old)
NID IDAZ00236

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: December 28, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Ownership

CITY OF TEMPE

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rio Salado Town Lake?

Rio Salado Town Lake is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Rio Salado Town Lake?

Rio Salado Town Lake is owned by CITY OF TEMPE (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rio Salado Town Lake built?

Rio Salado Town Lake was completed in 1997, making it 29 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 Rio Salado Town Lake?

Rio Salado Town Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Rio Salado Town Lake?

Rio Salado Town Lake has a dam height of 15 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 Rio Salado Town Lake last inspected?

Rio Salado Town Lake was last inspected on December 28, 2017. 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.