Lower Blue Diamond Detention Dam

About Lower Blue Diamond Detention Dam

The primary purpose of Lower Blue Diamond 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 Duck Creek-tr near Las Vegas.

The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 5,158 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 447 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 16 square miles. Completed in 2012, the structure is relatively new.

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 04/11/2022.

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.

Wider Context

Clark County alone accounts for 77 of Nevada's 160 High-hazard dams — nearly half the state's total at this classification — concentrated where flash-flood-prone desert watersheds require extensive detention.