Inspection and Oversight of Existing Dams

The Dam Safety Section is responsible for the safety of nearly 240 nonfederal dams in Arizona.  We perform safety inspections of high hazard dams every year, every three years for significant hazard dams, and every five years for low and very low hazard dams.  The dam owner is charged an inspection fee as prescribed in A.A.C. R12-15-106.  

During inspections, we sometimes identify “safety deficiencies” at operating dams and require owners to implement corrective actions.  A “safety deficiency” refers to a condition at a dam that impairs or adversely affects the safe operation of the dam.  Such conditions may include embankment cracks, erosion, breaching, unusual/uncontrolled seepage, slope instability and/or inadequate spillway capacity.

The Dam Safety Section reviews all engineering assessments and monitoring reports submitted for the dams.  Approximately, 120 dams per year are due for inspection by the Dam Safety Staff.  Following each inspection, a written report is returned to the owner identifying Safety Deficiencies and making recommendations for needed maintenance work.  The Dam Safety Section tracks identified Safety

Deficiencies and works to assist dam owners in their resolution.

Some examples of Safety Deficiencies: