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Davis Dam
Davis Dam
Davis Dam
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Davis Dam is a dam on the Colorado River about 70 miles (110 km) downstream from Hoover Dam.[1] It stretches across the border between Arizona and Nevada. Originally called Bullhead Dam, Davis Dam was renamed after Arthur Powell Davis, who was the director of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1914 to 1923. The United States Bureau of Reclamation owns and operates the dam, which was completed in 1951.[2]

Key Information

Davis Dam impounds the Colorado River and forms Lake Mohave.

Description

[edit]
Aerial view of Davis Dam and Lake Mohave.
Davis Dam

Davis Dam is a zoned earth-fill dam with a concrete spillway, 1,600 ft (490 m) in length at the crest, and 200 ft (61 m) high.[1] The earth fill dam begins on the Nevada side, but it does not extend to the Arizona side on the east. Instead, there is an inlet formed by earth and concrete, that includes the spillway. The hydroelectric power plant is beside the inlet.

The dam's purpose is to re-regulate releases from Hoover Dam upstream, and facilitate the delivery of Colorado River water to Mexico.[1] Bullhead City, Arizona, and Laughlin, Nevada, are located just below the dam along the river. Davis Camp is also nearby, operated as a park by Mohave County. Bullhead City was originally a construction town for workers building the dam.

A road is located on the crest of the earth fill portion of the dam and a Forebay Bridge spans the Forebay. It was formerly part of Arizona State Route 68 to Nevada. In April 2004, the roadway was shut down to vehicle traffic. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic are permitted. The old roadway is now an extension of the Heritage Trail system. Barriers have been placed on the former road at each end of the earthen dam. The facility is heavily patrolled by security forces who strictly enforce parking regulations.

Davis Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant

The Davis Dam Power Plant is a hydroelectric power plant located on the Arizona side of the dam, beside the inlet.[1] The hydroelectric plant generates between 1 and 2 terawatt-hours of electricity annually.[3] The plant has a capacity of 251 MW (337,000 hp) and the tops of its five Francis turbines are visible from outside the plant. The plant's head is 136 ft (41 m).

See also

[edit]
Original engineering drawings
Original engineering drawings

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Davis Dam

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Davis Dam is a zoned earthfill dam spanning the Colorado River between Mohave County, Arizona, and Clark County, Nevada, approximately 67 miles downstream from Hoover Dam. Constructed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1942 to 1953 at a cost of $67 million, it primarily regulates water releases from upstream reservoirs to ensure steady deliveries to Mexico under the 1944 Water Treaty, while also generating hydroelectric power and aiding flood control. The dam impounds , a with a capacity of 1,818,300 acre-feet that extends upstream toward Hoover Dam's tailwaters, supporting irrigation, municipal water supply, and recreation in the arid Southwest. Its powerplant, equipped with five Francis turbines connected via 22-foot-diameter penstocks, has a nameplate capacity of 240 megawatts and annually produces 1 to 2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, contributing to the regional grid managed by the . Standing 200 feet high with a 1,600-foot crest length, Davis Dam incorporates innovative features such as a relocated river channel during construction to form a forebay for efficient power generation, marking it as a key engineering achievement in the lower basin's water management infrastructure. The facility's operations integrate with upstream and downstream to optimize the river's limited flows amid growing demands from agriculture, urban growth, and treaty commitments.

Location and Geography

Site and Purpose

Davis Dam is located on the in Pyramid Canyon, spanning the border between , and , approximately 67 miles (108 km) downstream from and 88 miles (142 km) upstream from . The site was selected for its narrow canyon configuration, which facilitates efficient water impoundment and structural stability for the . The primary purpose of Davis Dam is to re-regulate variable releases from to provide a more consistent downstream flow for agricultural, municipal, and international water deliveries, including the annual allocation of 1.5 million acre-feet to as stipulated in the 1944 Water Treaty between the and . It also generates hydroelectric power through its integral powerplant, contributing to the regional grid managed by the . Additional functions include flood control by storing peak flows and providing seasonal water storage in , which supports in the lower Basin and recreational uses, though these are secondary to regulatory and power objectives. The dam's operations ensure compliance with downstream demands while minimizing sedimentation and maintaining navigable conditions in the river channel.

Reservoir: Lake Mohave

Lake Mohave is the reservoir formed by Davis Dam on the Colorado River, located between Arizona and Nevada, extending approximately 67 miles upstream to the tailrace of Hoover Dam. The reservoir was created following the completion of Davis Dam in 1951, with its name officially authorized by Congress on June 14, 1950. It serves primarily for re-regulating releases from Hoover Dam, storing water for downstream delivery, irrigation, municipal supply, and hydroelectric power generation. The reservoir has a total storage capacity of 1,818,300 acre-feet, with normal storage around 1,592,300 acre-feet and a surface area of approximately 28,200 acres at full pool. Its maximum surface elevation is 647 feet above , and the narrow, elongated shape—reaching up to 4 miles in width—facilitates efficient water regulation but results in significant shoreline exposure during low water periods. Water levels in are actively managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, often fluctuating seasonally to support operations such as fish salvage efforts for like the , with adjustments from elevations around 639 feet to 635 feet in late summer. Environmental conditions in are influenced by operational water level variations, which can expose large shoreline areas, affecting riparian vegetation, soil properties, and aquatic habitats. Studies indicate that these fluctuations promote certain ecological adaptations, such as plant colonization on newly exposed sediments, while also posing challenges for native fish reproduction, with spawning of species like the occurring in water temperatures between 10-22°C. Evaporation rates are high due to the arid environment, contributing to water loss estimates that inform management strategies. Despite these dynamics, the reservoir supports recreational activities within the and contributes to regional water security under the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty framework.

History

Planning and Authorization

The Davis Dam project originated from assessments in the late by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which identified the need for additional downstream regulation of flows following the completion of in 1935, to enhance water storage, flood control, and hydroelectric generation for the lower basin states. These evaluations built on the framework of the Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928, which had prioritized upstream development but left gaps in downstream management, prompting proposals for a supplementary structure near the Arizona-Nevada border to stabilize irregular releases and support irrigation demands in and . Authorization occurred on April 26, 1941, when Acting Secretary of the Interior approved the project under the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. § 485 et seq.), which granted the Secretary discretion to initiate reclamation works without separate congressional acts if they advanced water utilization and power production without exceeding allocated funds. The dam was named for Arthur Powell Davis, a pioneering and former Reclamation Service director who had championed multi-purpose river basin development, including early surveys. This administrative approval reflected wartime priorities for resource infrastructure, enabling rapid procurement amid escalating national demands for electricity and water security.

Construction Phase

Construction of Davis Dam commenced on June 25, 1942, after the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation awarded the primary contract to the Utah Construction Company for the earthfill embankment, spillway, power intake, and powerplant. Initial efforts focused on site preparation, including excavation for diversion tunnels and cofferdams to reroute the , amid the engineering demands of the narrow canyon and underlying fault zones in soft rock formations. However, progress halted on October 27, 1942, when the revoked priority ratings for materials due to demands, suspending major work until postwar resource availability improved. Work resumed on March 22, 1946, with the contractor recommencing under the original agreement, enabling accelerated placement of embankment materials sourced from nearby quarries and river aggregates. The river diversion through a newly excavated channel occurred in June 1948, allowing unwatering of the foundation for concrete pours in the , structure, and forebay. Grouting addressed seepage risks in fractured bedrock, while the powerplant site was adjusted upstream to mitigate geological instability. The first generating unit became operational on January 5, 1951, marking initial hydroelectric output as the reservoir began filling . The dam structure reached substantial completion by December 1952, with full powerplant operations following in 1953 after installation of all five turbine-generator units. Total project costs approximated $67 million, financed through future power revenues, encompassing the dam, appurtenant works, and initial transmission infrastructure. Challenges included wartime delays, logistical difficulties in the remote desert location, and adaptive engineering for seismic vulnerabilities, yet the phased approach ensured compliance with the 1944 Mexican Water Treaty requirements for downstream regulation.

Design and Specifications

Structural Features


Davis Dam is a zoned rising 200 feet (61 meters) above its foundation and featuring a crest length of 1,600 feet (488 meters). The main structure comprises approximately 3.64 million cubic yards (2.78 million cubic meters) of zoned and rock fill, engineered to resist forces through the mass gravity principle. Concrete elements integral to the dam include a , gravity section, structure, and powerplant, which collectively manage water flow and energy generation. The and structures form a forebay adjacent to the embankment, facilitating controlled releases and turbine feeding. The powerplant, embedded downstream on the side, supports five generating units under a maximum of 138 feet (42 meters). This hybrid design balances the stability of earthfill with the precision of for hydraulic control.

Hydroelectric Facilities

The Davis Dam Powerplant consists of five above-ground Francis-type connected to generators, delivering water from the forebay through five 22-foot-diameter penstocks. The facility's is 240 megawatts. Originally commissioned in 1951 with five 45-megawatt generators for a total of 225 megawatts, the powerplant underwent stator winding replacements from 1973 to 1976, raising the installed capacity to 255 megawatts. Each operates under a gross head of approximately 136 feet, contributing to the plant's maximum operating capacity of 236 megawatts. The hydroelectric facilities generate 1 to 2 billion kilowatt-hours annually, supplementing the Basin's energy supply. Power output varies with water releases regulated for , flood control, and downstream demands.

Capacity and Dimensions

Davis Dam features a zoned earthfill embankment design with a structural of 200 feet above the foundation and a hydraulic of approximately 140 feet above the riverbed. The crest measures 1,600 feet in length and 50 feet in width, situated at an of 655 feet. The dam includes a structure capable of discharging up to 214,000 cubic feet per second at maximum pool elevation. It impounds , a extending 67 miles with a maximum live storage capacity of 1.81 million acre-feet and a surface area of approximately 28,170 acres at full pool elevation of 647 feet. The integrated hydroelectric powerplant consists of five generating units, each rated at 48 megawatts, providing a total installed capacity of 240 megawatts. This capacity supports power generation with a of about 135 feet.

Operations and Management

Water Regulation and Delivery

Davis Dam functions as a key regulatory structure on the Lower , re-regulating variable releases from the upstream to provide steadier downstream flows for diversions, municipal supplies, and other consumptive uses in , , and . This process mitigates fluctuations caused by 's operations, ensuring more predictable water availability for off-river users and reducing risks of or in the river channel below. A primary operational mandate stems from the 1944 Water Treaty between the and , which requires annual delivery of 1.5 million acre-feet of water to via Davis Dam outflows from . The dam's spillways, outlet works, and radial gates enable precise control of these releases, coordinating with downstream infrastructure like and Imperial Dam to meet treaty obligations while accommodating Upper Basin inflows and Lower Basin state priorities under the 1922 and U.S. decrees. The Bureau of Reclamation oversees daily water regulation through hourly release schedules, typically ranging from 1,400 to several thousand cubic feet per second depending on levels, demand forecasts, and flood control needs. These adjustments account for transit times—such as over three days from Davis Dam to Imperial Dam—and integrate with broader system operations to minimize waste from river losses or evaporation while supporting incidental power generation tied to flows. Temporary reductions in releases, as implemented in 2023 and 2024 for ecological or maintenance purposes, demonstrate without compromising core delivery commitments.

Power Production and Distribution

The Davis Dam Powerplant, located on the side of the river immediately downstream from the dam embankment, employs conventional hydroelectric generation with five Francis turbines driven by water released from . Water flows to the turbines via five 22-foot-diameter penstocks from a forebay, enabling semi-outdoor operation of the above-ground powerhouse. The facility's installed capacity totals 255 megawatts across the five generating units, with an original of 225 megawatts that has been upgraded. Its maximum operating capacity is approximately 236 megawatts, though actual output varies with water availability and . Annual production typically ranges from 1 to 2 billion kilowatt-hours, contributing to the broader hydroelectric pool alongside Hoover and Parker Dams. For instance, in the period from September to December 2024, the plant generated 187.3 gigawatt-hours. Power from Davis Dam forms part of the Parker-Davis Project, with generation integrated into a federal transmission network spanning 1,537 circuit-miles. The (WAPA) markets this hydroelectric resource under long-term contracts to preference customers, prioritizing public entities such as utilities, irrigation and electrical districts, and Native American tribes. These allocations serve approximately 35 customers across , southern , and southern , supporting regional energy needs through firm power and energy products governed by periodic marketing plans, such as the current framework extending through 2028 and proposed extensions to 2048. WAPA's distribution ensures widespread use of federal while adhering to statutory preferences for public bodies, with rates set to recover costs including operation, maintenance, and capital investments.

Maintenance and Modern Adaptations

The Bureau of Reclamation performs routine and periodic maintenance on Davis Dam's hydroelectric powerplant to sustain its 48 MW capacity across five generating units, which collectively produce 1-2 billion kWh annually. This includes overhauls of turbines and generators, with an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract in place for repairing fatigued, worn, or damaged components to original precision tolerances at Davis, Hoover, and Parker Dams. In March 2025, maintenance commenced on one generator unit, leaving four operational, underscoring the facility's ongoing need for such interventions despite environmental challenges like exposure. Transformer upkeep forms another key aspect, as the powerplant relies on five three-phase units rated at 40-45 MVA each; in 2015, the Bureau solicited information on maintenance services for these and similar equipment across the regional dams to address aging infrastructure. Cooling system enhancements, such as servicing Atlantium HOD ultraviolet lights installed on generator water systems, further support reliability and prevent . Modern adaptations emphasize efficiency and resilience, with crews tackling modernization challenges to accommodate advanced components' high operational demands while optimizing maintenance flexibility. These efforts align with broader Parker-Davis Project goals, including integration with the Power Administration's transmission network for . Security measures, such as closing the roadway to vehicular in April 2004 while retaining and access, represent operational adaptations for public safety.

Impacts and Significance

Economic and Regional Development

The Davis Dam powerplant generates 1 to 2 billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power annually, supplementing the regional energy pool from other Lower facilities and supporting electrical demands in , , and adjacent areas. This output, produced via five turbines, contributes to the combined 5 to 5.5 billion kilowatt-hours generated yearly by the powerplants at Davis, Hoover, and Parker Dams, providing reliable, low-cost that powers homes, businesses, and in the arid Southwest. The energy is marketed by the under long-term contracts, fostering industrial and commercial activity by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and stabilizing local grids. Lake Mohave, formed by the dam, enables regulated water deliveries for irrigation and municipal use downstream, sustaining agricultural productivity in the lower basin and urban water supplies critical for population centers. Flood control provided by the dam's 1.8 million storage capacity has mitigated risks in a historically flood-prone river, allowing safe expansion of settlements and farmland that would otherwise face recurrent inundation. These functions directly underpin economic viability in water-scarce regions, where reliable allocation supports crop cultivation and residential growth without the volatility of unregulated flows. The dam's infrastructure catalyzed post-World War II development in , and , by supplying power and creating recreational opportunities on that boosted . Construction beginning in 1942 revived Bullhead City from a modest river crossing into a burgeoning hub, with completion in the early 1950s enabling stable river conditions that facilitated the rise of nearby Laughlin as a gaming and destination. Today, the reservoir drives boating, fishing, and hospitality sectors, though fluctuating releases occasionally disrupt shoreline access and visitor economies. Overall, these elements have enhanced regional resilience, with the dam's operations bolstering through integrated water, power, and flood management.

Environmental and Ecological Considerations

The construction of Davis Dam in 1951 profoundly altered the hydrology of the Lower Colorado River by stabilizing flows and eliminating natural flood cycles, which previously ranged from 0.34 to 7,083 m³/s, reducing average post-1935 flows to approximately 283 m³/s at the dam. This stabilization, combined with upstream impoundments like Hoover Dam, disrupted sediment transport, nutrient cycling, and habitat formation, leading to a 75-78% decline in riparian vegetation from 160,000-180,000 hectares in 1894 to 40,000 hectares by 1986. Cottonwood-willow habitats, dependent on periodic flooding, decreased by up to 94% in areas like the Parker II Division between 1938 and 1986, while invasive saltcedar expanded to dominate 40% of pure stands and 43% of mixed riparian areas by 1986. Aquatic ecosystems in Lake Mohave and downstream reaches have shifted due to the dam's reregulation of peaking flows from Hoover Dam, creating fluctuating water levels that reduce phytoplankton productivity by 10-18% under lower elevation scenarios (e.g., 600 ft vs. 640 ft) through decreased surface area, increased mixing, and cooler temperatures. Native fish species, including the razorback sucker and bonytail chub, experienced near-extirpation by the 1960s due to habitat loss, cold water releases, and competition from over 20 non-native species like largemouth bass and threadfin shad, which now dominate reservoir fisheries. Efforts to mitigate these impacts include annual drawdowns of Lake Mohave, such as those timed for razorback sucker harvest and repatriation, with over 2,400 endangered individuals released in spring 2024 to bolster populations in lagoons near Laughlin, Nevada. Water quality below Davis Dam shows elevated concentrations in water (2 µg/L) and sediments (0.3–7.1 µg/g dry weight), exceeding national baselines and posing risks to , where levels of 0.62–4.0 µg/g (mean 1.49 µg/g wet weight) surpass reproductive safety guidelines of 2.0 µg/g. Bottom sediments also contain organochlorine pesticides like DDE at 0.1-7.5 µg/kg and at 0.6-0.8 µg/kg, with elevated and near the dam, potentially remobilizing to affect aquatic life. has risen from pre-development levels of 250 mg/L to 550 mg/L by 1987 due to irrigation return flows and , though targets maintain levels at 723 mg/L below and higher downstream. Wildlife impacts extend to birds like the Yuma clapper rail (400-750 U.S. individuals), threatened by despite population increases since the 1920s, and declining species such as the due to conversion. Mitigation includes revegetation at sites like Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, costing $9,000–$10,000 per hectare with success after 5–8 years, and salinity control via the Yuma Desalting Plant, operational since 1992, preventing over 115,000 tons of salt annually. Ongoing management under the Endangered Species Act addresses non-native predation and habitat restoration, though challenges persist from funding limitations and persistent dominance.

References

  1. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/davisdam.html
  2. https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=47
  3. https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/az/az0500/az0596/data/az0596data.pdf
  4. https://www.desertusa.com/colorado/lm_nra/davis_dam/du_davisdam.html?srsltid=AfmBOooUlvdrhh99TDOSiJhu2Bx3lwbxnHUp-NHUQiU1uhNxrGHWKCz6
  5. https://coloradoriverhistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/davis-dam-history-3.pdf
  6. https://www.nps.gov/lake/learn/nature/overview-of-lake-mohave.htm
  7. https://x.com/usbr/status/1933856961281376609
  8. https://data.lohud.com/dam/arizona/mohave-county/davis-bor/az10309/
  9. https://static.azdeq.gov/wqd/gw/fs/05-21_LakeMohaveBasin_fs.pdf
  10. https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5217
  11. https://www.facebook.com/groups/5660262864046652/posts/26342885188691117/
  12. https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1072&context=water_pubs
  13. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1642&context=wnan
  14. https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1075&context=water_pubs
  15. https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2021/1022/ofr20211022.pdf
  16. https://www.usbr.gov/projects/pdf.php?id=153
  17. https://parks.mohave.gov/parks/davis-camp/davis-camp-history/
  18. https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=541
  19. https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=377
  20. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/hearings/iid_sdcwa/crit/exhibits/crit5.pdf
  21. https://www.desertusa.com/colorado/lm_nra/davis_dam/du_davisdam.html
  22. http://www.janandpat.net/dams/usbr/davisdam.htm
  23. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/surplus1/pdf/Attachments/Attachment_B.pdf
  24. https://digital-desert.com/davis-dam/
  25. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/aop/AOP74.pdf
  26. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html
  27. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/surplus/pdf/Attachments/Attachment_C.pdf
  28. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/DavisParkerSchedules.pdf
  29. https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5200
  30. https://www.gridinfo.com/plant/davis-dam/152
  31. https://www.wapa.gov/about-wapa/regions/dsw/power-projects-2/
  32. https://www.wapa.gov/about-wapa/regions/dsw/pdpremarketing/
  33. https://www.wapa.gov/about-wapa/power-projects/
  34. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/12/2024-26162/final-2028-parker-davis-project-power-marketing-plan-and-call-for-resource-pool-applications
  35. https://www.wapa.gov/about-wapa/regions/dsw/power-marketing/
  36. https://acquisitiongateway.gov/forecast/resources/33076
  37. https://www.facebook.com/groups/laughlinbuzz/posts/3886126524989077/
  38. https://www.mohavedailynews.com/townnews/hydrography/how-electricity-is-produced-at-davis-dam/article_667331ad-5b32-4fd9-81e8-5edef5e4fd1b.html
  39. https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/hydro-power/technology-equipment/u-s-seeks-information-on-transformer-maintenance-for-hoover-davis-parker-hydro-projects/
  40. https://www.highergov.com/contract-opportunity/this-contracting-action-is-to-obtain-an-all-inclus-140r3025q0083-o-868f5/
  41. https://www.usbr.gov/gp/multimedia/publications/rec_summer_2025.pdf
  42. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bureau-of-reclamation_reclamation-activity-7369831718863896576-3HnU
  43. https://www.facebook.com/theHooverDam/posts/the-hydroelectric-power-plants-at-hoover-davis-and-parker-dams-generate-between-/1173794234795446/
  44. https://cottonwoodcoveresort.com/davis-dam-history-location-and-more/
  45. https://www.bullheadareachamber.com/community
  46. https://aroundtheriver.com/bullhead-city/history/
  47. https://www.needlesdesertstar.com/it-s-going-to-hurt-all-the-way-down-the-river-inconsistent-river-flows-bringing/article_0556769f-c024-5444-a85f-c43372e1e255.html
  48. https://www.thebee.news/davis-dam-celebrates-national-public-lands-day-with-exclusive-guided-power-plant-tours/
  49. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA323043.pdf
  50. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/07/07/2021-14335/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-reclassification-of-the-razorback-sucker-from
  51. https://mavensnotebook.com/2024/09/13/usbr-fish-release-tries-to-tip-the-scales-in-favor-of-endangered-species/
  52. https://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/1988/4002/report.pdf
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