Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam
Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam is an earth dam located in Clark County, Nevada, built in 2000. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Blue Diamond Upper Detention Dam
The primary purpose of Blue Diamond Upper Detention 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 Las Vegas Wash-tr near Las Vegas.
The dam stands 61 feet tall and stretches 3,073 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 138 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 691 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 68 square miles. Completed in 2000, the structure is 26 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 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 02/23/2022.
At 61 feet, this dam is taller than 95% 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 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.
Location
| State | Nevada |
| County | Clark |
| Nearest City | Las Vegas |
| River/Stream | Las Vegas Wash-tr |
| Coordinates | 36.02993, -115.31731 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 61 ft |
| Dam Height | 61 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,073 ft |
| Year Completed | 2000 (26 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 691 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 691 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 138 acres |
| Drainage Area | 68 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 148,650 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CLARK COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/23/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NV10622 |
| Federal ID | NV10622 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |