Wild Horse

EAST FORK OWYHEE RIVER· Elko, Nevada· Built 1969· Concrete· 101 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Wild Horse is classified as high hazard in Nevada. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 101 ft (taller than 93% in NV)
Dam Length458 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage95.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage72.0K acre-ft
Surface Area3,035 acres
Drainage Area60 sq mi
Max Discharge5,400 cfs
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)
NID IDNV10119

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: July 25, 2007
State Regulated: No

Ownership

BIA

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wild Horse?

Wild Horse 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 Wild Horse?

Wild Horse is owned by BIA (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wild Horse built?

Wild Horse was completed in 1969, making it 57 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 Wild Horse?

Wild Horse serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Wild Horse?

Wild Horse has a dam height of 101 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 Wild Horse last inspected?

Wild Horse was last inspected on July 25, 2007. 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.