Map of All 509 Nevada Dams
Nevada has 509 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 162 are classified as high hazard (32% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 26 Nevada dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Nevada dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Nevada to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Nevada Dams by the Numbers
- 509 total dams in Nevada
- 162 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 84 significant hazard
- 263 low hazard
- 150 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (118 poor, 32 unsatisfactory)
- 26 Nevada dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Nevada
The tallest dam in Nevada is Hoover Dam at 730 feet, completed in 1935. The 10 tallest Nevada dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoover Dam | 730 ft | 1935 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Clark |
| North Block Tailings Impoundment Dam | 520 ft | 1993 | Tailings | Not Rated | Eureka |
| Mill 5/6 Center Tailings Storage Facility | 300 ft | 1991 | Tailings | Fair | Eureka |
| Carlin Gold Tailings Dam | 270 ft | 1991 | Tailings | Fair | Eureka |
| Cortez Area 28 Tsf Cell 4 Dam | 270 ft | – | Tailings | Fair | Lander |
| Midas Tailings Storage Facility Ph Iv Dam | 250 ft | 1998 | Tailings | Poor | Elko |
| A-A Tails Dam | 220 ft | 1989 | Tailings | Fair | Eureka |
| Mill 5/6 East Tailings Storage Facility | 220 ft | 2019 | Tailings | Satisfactory | Eureka |
| Cortez Area 28 Tsf Dam | 215 ft | 1997 | Tailings | Fair | Lander |
| Mill 5/6 West Tails Storage Facility | 210 ft | 2011 | Tailings | Fair | Eureka |
High-Hazard Nevada Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 26 dams in Nevada. Notable examples:
- Cat Creek (123 ft, Mineral County) — Water Supply, Unsatisfactory condition
- Cave Creek Dam (83 ft, White Pine County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Bishop Creek Dam (80 ft, Elko County) — Irrigation, Unsatisfactory condition
- Eagle Valley Reservoir Dam (72 ft, Lincoln County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Las Vegas Wash Upper Detention Basin Dam (71 ft, Clark County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Nevada
Dam safety in Nevada is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Nevada?
Nevada has 509 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 162 high hazard, 84 significant hazard, and 263 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Nevada?
The tallest dam in Nevada is Hoover Dam at 730 feet, completed in 1935. It is primarily a hydroelectric structure.
How many Nevada dams are in poor condition?
150 Nevada dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 26 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
