Horseshoe Cienega
Horseshoe Cienega is an earth dam located in Apache County, Arizona, built in 1964. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Horseshoe Cienega
The primary purpose of Horseshoe Cienega is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Bia (federal). It impounds the Horseshoe Creek near Upper Log Campground.
The dam stands 41 feet tall and stretches 800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 129 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,664 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1964, 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 11/08/2024.
At 41 feet, this dam is taller than 88% 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 | Apache |
| Nearest City | Upper Log Campground |
| River/Stream | Horseshoe Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.03660, -109.69060 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 41 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 800 ft |
| Year Completed | 1964 (62 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,664 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,664 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 986 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 129 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,700 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | BIA |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/08/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AZ10424 |
| Federal ID | AZ10424 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |