Cave Buttes
Cave Buttes is an earth dam located in Maricopa County, Arizona, built in 1980. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Cave Buttes
The primary purpose of Cave Buttes 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 Flood Control District Of Maricopa County (local government). It impounds the Cave Creek near Phoenix.
The dam stands 118 feet tall and stretches 2,260 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,820 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 122,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 191 square miles. Completed in 1980, the structure is 46 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 03/04/2024.
At 118 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Maricopa |
| Nearest City | Phoenix |
| River/Stream | Cave Creek |
| Coordinates | 33.71694, -112.04667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 118 ft |
| Dam Height | 93 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,260 ft |
| Year Completed | 1980 (46 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 122,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 122,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 46,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,820 acres |
| Drainage Area | 191 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 100,600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT OF MARICOPA COUNTY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/04/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AZ10007 |
| Federal ID | AZ10007 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |