Desert Inn Detention Basin
Total cost: Original completion price: $924,244. Upgrade cost: $162,190.
Size: 70 ac-ft
Completed in 2000

What is a detention basin?
Think of a home bathtub: the basin holds the water when the tub fills up. Once the bathtub plug is removed, the water slowly is released through the opening at the bottom of the tub.

A stormwater detention basin works a lot like a bathtub. It’s a flood control facility that collects stormwater, temporarily stores the water and releases it at lower, less damaging rates than it enters the basin. Once the basin is full, the Desert Inn Detention Basin will take approximately two days to drain. 

Detention basins are large, excavated areas designed to remain empty except during storm events. In Clark County, detention basins generally range from 15 to 300 acres. These basins are one of several tools RFCD uses to mitigate downstream flooding.

What are the benefits of a detention basin?
In addition to slowing the fast-moving flood waters, the detention basin allows particles, trash, and pollutants to settle into the banks of the basin after the water subsides. Clark County Public Works personnel provide regular maintenance to clean the debris after flooding events.

What does this detention basin protect?
The Desert Inn Detention Basin protects the communities surrounding

Project Overview
Watershed: Tropicana/Flamingo
System: Flamingo Decatur
Entity: Clark County

70 acre-feet detention basin
It takes 48 hours to drain to 90%
Detention basin depth: 17.14'
Outlet invert elevation: 2,360.86
100-year peak stage: 2,370.6
100-year peak inflow (CFS): 725
100-year peak outflow (CFS): 28

Embankment: 
Spillway: Broad Crested Weir
Spillway crest elevation: 2,372

Total Cost for the Desert Inn Detention Basin Project: $1,086,434