Signal Butte Frs
Signal Butte Frs is an earth dam located in Maricopa County, Arizona, built in 1988. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Signal Butte Frs
The primary purpose of Signal Butte Frs 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 Flood Control District Of Maricopa County (local government). It impounds the Unnamed Washes near Apache Junction.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 7,038 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 140 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,822 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 106 square miles. Completed in 1988, the structure is 38 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/13/2024.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% 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 | Maricopa |
| Nearest City | Apache Junction |
| River/Stream | Unnamed Washes |
| Coordinates | 33.44083, -111.59556 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 7,038 ft |
| Year Completed | 1988 (38 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,822 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,822 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 140 acres |
| Drainage Area | 106 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,450 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT OF MARICOPA COUNTY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/13/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AZ00205 |
| Federal ID | AZ00205 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |