Willow Creek

WILLOW CREEK· Yavapai, Arizona· Built 1936· Arch· 65 ft tall

High Hazard Irrigation Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Willow Creek is classified as high hazard in Arizona. It was completed in 1936 and is 90 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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	65 ft (taller than 85% in AZ)
Dam Length	297 ft
Dam Type	Arch
Max Storage	7.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage	6.0K acre-ft

Surface Area	460 acres
Drainage Area	25 sq mi
Max Discharge	8,100 cfs
Year Completed	1936 (90 years old)
NID ID	AZ00019

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 2, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Ownership

CITY OF PRESCOTT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Granite Creek

Yavapai, AZ

High Hazard 81 ft

Prescott Airport Wwtp

Yavapai, AZ

Low Hazard 19 ft

Lynx Creek

Yavapai, AZ

Low Hazard 52 ft

Lynx Lake

Yavapai, AZ

High Hazard 70 ft

Mesa Reservoir

Yavapai, AZ

Low Hazard 35 ft

Upper Goldwater

Yavapai, AZ

High Hazard 52 ft

Lower Goldwater

Yavapai, AZ

High Hazard 67 ft

Granite Basin

Yavapai, AZ

High Hazard 27 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Willow Creek?

Willow Creek 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 Willow Creek?

Willow Creek is owned by CITY OF PRESCOTT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Willow Creek built?

Willow Creek was completed in 1936, making it 90 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 Willow Creek?

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

How tall is Willow Creek?

Willow Creek has a dam height of 65 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 Willow Creek last inspected?

Willow Creek was last inspected on July 2, 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.