Fountain Lake

Fountain Lake is an earth dam located in Maricopa County, Arizona, built in 1970. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Fountain Lake

Fountain Lake is a dam in Maricopa, Arizona. The dam is owned by Town Of Fountain Hills (local government). It impounds the Verde River - Tr near Fountain Hills.

The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 1,470 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 32 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 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 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 02/22/2024.

At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.

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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateArizona
CountyMaricopa
Nearest CityFountain Hills
River/StreamVerde River - Tr
Coordinates33.60222, -111.70944

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height38 ft
Dam Height31 ft
Dam Length1,470 ft
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage500 acre-ft
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage322 acre-ft
Surface Area32 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge2,500 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeOther
OwnerTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection02/22/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDAZ00073
Federal IDAZ00073
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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