Graveyard Wash
Graveyard Wash is an earth dam located in Graham County, Arizona, built in 1962. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Graveyard Wash
The primary purpose of Graveyard Wash is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by City Of Safford (local government). It impounds the Graveyard Wash near Safford.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 4,721 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 175 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,360 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 19 square miles. Completed in 1962, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/16/2024.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Arizona dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Arizona |
| County | Graham |
| Nearest City | Safford |
| River/Stream | Graveyard Wash |
| Coordinates | 32.80139, -109.71889 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,721 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,360 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,360 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,270 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 175 acres |
| Drainage Area | 19 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 9,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CITY OF SAFFORD |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/16/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AZ00066 |
| Federal ID | AZ00066 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |