Echo Canyon Dam
Echo Canyon Dam is an earth dam located in Lincoln County, Nevada, built in 1970. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Echo Canyon Dam
The primary purpose of Echo Canyon Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Nevada Dcnr Parks (state). It impounds the Meadow Valley Wash near Panaca.
The dam stands 58 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 64 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,750 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 200 square miles. Completed in 1970, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/12/2023.
At 58 feet, this dam is taller than 95% 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 Nevada 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 | Nevada |
| County | Lincoln |
| Nearest City | Panaca |
| River/Stream | Meadow Valley Wash |
| Coordinates | 37.90719, -114.27153 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 58 ft |
| Dam Height | 58 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1970 (56 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,750 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,750 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 64 acres |
| Drainage Area | 200 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 12,186 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | NEVADA DCNR PARKS |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/12/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NV00117 |
| Federal ID | NV00117 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |