Santa Fe

CATARACT CREEK· Coconino, Arizona· Built 1892· Masonry· 42 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Santa Fe is classified as high hazard in Arizona. It was completed in 1892 and is 134 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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	42 ft (taller than 71.3% in AZ)
Dam Length	454 ft
Dam Type	Masonry
Max Storage	260 acre-ft
Normal Storage	215 acre-ft

Surface Area	14 acres
Drainage Area	5 sq mi
Max Discharge	700 cfs
Year Completed	1892 (134 years old)
NID ID	AZ00031

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: October 30, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Ownership

CITY OF WILLIAMS

Local Government

Nearby Dams

City

Coconino, AZ

High Hazard 47 ft

West Cataract Creek

Coconino, AZ

Significant Hazard 36 ft

Kaibab

Coconino, AZ

Low Hazard 36 ft

Dogtown

Coconino, AZ

Significant Hazard 32 ft

Big Supai Tank

Coconino, AZ

Low Hazard 34 ft

Mclellan

Coconino, AZ

Low Hazard 21 ft

Sweetwood (K4)

Coconino, AZ

Low Hazard 18 ft

Whitehorse Dam

Coconino, AZ

Low Hazard 31 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Santa Fe?

Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is owned by CITY OF WILLIAMS (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Santa Fe built?

Santa Fe was completed in 1892, making it 134 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 Santa Fe?

Santa Fe serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Santa Fe?

Santa Fe has a dam height of 42 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 Santa Fe last inspected?

Santa Fe was last inspected on October 30, 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.