Lower Goldwater
Lower Goldwater is a gravity dam located in Yavapai County, Arizona, built in 1923. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lower Goldwater
The primary purpose of Lower Goldwater 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 City Of Prescott (local government). It impounds the Bannon Creek near Prescott.
The dam stands 73 feet tall and stretches 508 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 16 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 351 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1923, the structure is over a century 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 04/16/2024.
At 73 feet, this dam is taller than 97% 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 | Yavapai |
| Nearest City | Prescott |
| River/Stream | Bannon Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.49861, -112.45750 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 73 ft |
| Dam Height | 67 ft |
| Dam Length | 508 ft |
| Year Completed | 1923 (103 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 351 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 351 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 271 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 16 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF PRESCOTT |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/16/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AZ00005 |
| Federal ID | AZ00005 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |