Morelos Diversion Dam is a concrete dam located in Yuma County, Arizona, built in 1950. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 37 ft37 ft tall and 1,304 ft long, taller than 83% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Morelos Diversion Dam
The primary purpose of Morelos Diversion Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by International Boundary and Water Commission;mexico Comision Internacional De Limites Y Aguas (federal). It impounds the Colorado near Yuma.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 1,304 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 1,160 acre-feet. Completed in 1950, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 12/08/2022.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Arizona |
| County | Yuma |
| Nearest City | Yuma |
| River/Stream | Colorado |
| Coordinates | 32.70500, -114.72800 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,304 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,160 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,160 acre-ft |
| Max Discharge | 140,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | International Boundary and Water Commission;mexico Comision Internacional De Limites Y Aguas |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/08/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AZ10005 |
| Federal ID | AZ10005 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |