Silverado Ranch Detention Basin, Collection & Outfall
Total cost: $23,234,084
Size ac-ft: 293.8
Completed in 2023

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 Silverado Ranch Detention Basin will take approximately six 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 Silverado Ranch Detention Basin protects the communities east of the detention basin and across Interstate 15. This detention basin ties into Lower Duck Creek Detention Basin.

Project Overview
Watershed: Duck Creek/Blue Diamond
System: Upper Duck Creek/Diamond
Entity: Clark County

293.8 acre-feet detention basin
It takes 147 hours to drain to 90%
Detention basin depth: 16.05'
Outlet invert elevation: 2342.45'

100-year peak stage: 2,356.5'
100-year peak inflow (CFS): 2,355
100-year peak outflow (CFS): 337

Embankment: 
Spillway: Broad Crested
Spillway crest elevation 2356.5'

Total Cost for the Silverado Ranch Detention Basin, Collection & Outfall Project: $19,384,238 RFCD and $3,849,846 RTC - $23,234,084 total