Flamingo Wash Lower Detention Basin Dam

Flamingo Wash Lower Detention Basin Dam is an earth dam located in Clark County, Nevada. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Flamingo Wash Lower Detention Basin Dam

The primary purpose of Flamingo Wash Lower 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 Clark County Public Works (local government). It impounds the Flamingo Wash near Las Vegas.

The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 28 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 267 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles.

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 05/03/2023.

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.

High HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateNevada
CountyClark
Nearest CityLas Vegas
River/StreamFlamingo Wash
Coordinates36.10240, -115.20850

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height20 ft
Dam Height20 ft
Dam Length700 ft

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage267 acre-ft
Max Storage267 acre-ft
Surface Area28 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge8,257 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerCLARK COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection05/03/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDNV10789
Federal IDNV10789
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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