Tuacahn Wash Lower Detention Basin
Tuacahn Wash Lower Detention Basin is an earth dam located in Washington County, Utah, built in 1919. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Tuacahn Wash Lower Detention Basin
The primary purpose of Tuacahn Wash Lower Detention Basin 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 Santa Clara City (local government). It impounds the Unnamed Trib. To Santa Clara near Santa Clara.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 145 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1919, the structure is over a century 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 03/23/2023.
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 Utah 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 | Utah |
| County | Washington |
| Nearest City | Santa Clara |
| River/Stream | Unnamed Trib. To Santa Clara |
| Coordinates | 37.13100, -113.63778 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1919 (107 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 145 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 145 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 78 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 32 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | SANTA CLARA CITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/23/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | UT00443 |
| Federal ID | UT00443 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |