Creighton Detention Dam
Creighton Detention Dam is an earth dam located in Cochise County, Arizona, built in 1956. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Creighton Detention Dam
The primary purpose of Creighton Detention Dam 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 Arizona State Land Department (state). It impounds the Gold Gulch near Solomon Az.
The dam stands 50 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 198 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,750 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 106 square miles. Completed in 1956, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 12/16/2022.
At 50 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Arizona |
| County | Cochise |
| Nearest City | Solomon Az |
| River/Stream | Gold Gulch |
| Coordinates | 32.37678, -109.56070 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Height | 43 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1956 (70 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,750 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,750 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,970 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 198 acres |
| Drainage Area | 106 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 15,400 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | ARIZONA STATE LAND DEPARTMENT |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/16/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AZ20008 |
| Federal ID | AZ20008 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |