Las Vegas Wash Upper Detention Basin Dam
Las Vegas Wash Upper Detention Basin Dam is an earth dam located in Clark County, Nevada, built in 1993. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Las Vegas Wash Upper Detention Basin Dam
The primary purpose of Las Vegas Wash Upper Detention Basin 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 City Of North Las Vegas (local government). It impounds the Las Vegas Wash near North Las Vegas.
The dam stands 71 feet tall and stretches 6,594 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 165 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,760 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 516 square miles. Completed in 1993, the structure is 33 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/29/2023.
At 71 feet, this dam is taller than 96% 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 | Clark |
| Nearest City | North Las Vegas |
| River/Stream | Las Vegas Wash |
| Coordinates | 36.32639, -115.21139 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 71 ft |
| Dam Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Length | 6,594 ft |
| Year Completed | 1993 (33 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,760 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,760 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 165 acres |
| Drainage Area | 516 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 180,750 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 04/29/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NV10163 |
| Federal ID | NV10163 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |