Rainbow Detention Basin Dam

About Rainbow Detention Basin Dam

The primary purpose of Rainbow Detention Basin 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 City Of Las Vegas (local government). It impounds the Las Vegas Wash-tr near Las Vegas.

The dam stands 41 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 134 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 27 square miles. Completed in 2002, the structure is relatively new.

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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/05/2020.

At 41 feet, this dam is taller than 88% of dams nationwide.

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