Blue Canyon
Blue Canyon is a rockfill dam located in Apache County, Arizona, built in 1984. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Blue Canyon
The primary purpose of Blue Canyon is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bia (federal). It impounds the Bonito Creek near Ft. Defiance.
The dam stands 142 feet tall and stretches 380 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,743 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 53 square miles. Completed in 1984, the structure is 42 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 05/10/2023.
At 142 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Ft. Defiance |
| River/Stream | Bonito Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.78270, -109.10610 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 142 ft |
| Dam Height | 120 ft |
| Dam Length | 380 ft |
| Year Completed | 1984 (42 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,743 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,743 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 53 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 82,882 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | BIA |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/10/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AZ11001 |
| Federal ID | AZ11001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |