The Salt River crosses the north end of Tempe, and for most of the year the only water in it is the reservoir held back by the two dams that form Tempe Town Lake. On the night of July 20, 2010, one section of the west dam burst and released up to 15,000 cubic feet of water per second into the dry riverbed, draining about three-quarters of the lake overnight. It was a vivid reminder that this city sits beside a river that can run hard when upstream reservoirs release or winter storms stack up.
For residents, the more common problems are smaller and closer to home: a burst supply line in an apartment above you, a roof that gives way in a monsoon downburst, or a slab leak under an older ranch house. Call (888) 317-9980, a free line that is open 24/7, and we will connect you with an independent restoration provider that serves Tempe. We don't do the work ourselves.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Tempe. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Living Beside the Salt River and Town Lake
Town Lake opened in 1999, and besides recreation it helps protect the surrounding area from flooding. Its dams are designed to pass flows as large as 64,000 cubic feet per second, and they have been lowered to let the river through several times, including December 2004, February 2005, January 2008 and February 2009. Those releases happen after heavy winter rain or snowmelt upstream, which means river flow in Tempe can rise on a sunny day.
Elevations here run from about 1,140 feet at the lake to 1,495 feet on top of Hayden Butte, and most of the city is flat. Tempe runs its own floodplain management rather than relying on the county, so questions about whether a particular address sits in a mapped flood zone go to the city or the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Surface flooding is excluded from most homeowners and renters policies, so check the map before you assume you are covered.
Leaks That Cross Unit Lines in a Dense College City
With about 4,500 residents per square mile and Arizona State University as its largest employer, Tempe has far more stacked housing than the suburbs to the south and east. Water doesn't respect unit boundaries. A toilet supply line that bursts on the third floor can reach two apartments below before anyone shuts it off.
- Renters: tell the property manager in writing right away, photograph your belongings, and check whether you carry renters insurance. The building's policy usually covers the structure, not your things.
- Condo owners: your HOA documents spell out where association responsibility ends and yours begins, often at the drywall or the fixture.
- Landlords: fast water extraction and drying keep a single-unit leak from becoming a multi-unit claim.
Mid-Century Ranch Houses and Aging Pipes
Tempe already had more than 63,000 residents by 1970, so it holds more mid-century housing than most of the East Valley. Homes from that era can have galvanized or older copper supply lines, original cast-iron drains, and roofs that have been re-covered several times. Common trouble spots include pinhole leaks in lines under the slab, corroded shutoff valves that won't close when you need them, and drain lines that back up into a tub or floor drain. A drain backup is not clean water; if sewage is involved, sewage cleanup calls for removal of porous materials it touched and proper disinfection.
Monsoon Downbursts and Roof Damage
Tempe averages only about 8.8 inches of precipitation a year, spread over roughly 34 days, so most days are bone dry. The damage comes in bursts. The National Weather Service forecast office that covers the region is located in Tempe, and it warns that downburst winds commonly exceed 40 mph and can top 100 mph. That kind of wind lifts tiles and shingles, tears coatings on flat roofs and drives rain into attics.
After a storm, a provider will typically tarp openings, remove wet insulation and ceiling drywall where needed, and dry the framing. Monsoon humidity slows drying, which is part of why wet drywall left behind a closed ceiling can develop mold within days. Musty odors, recurring stains or soft spots should be checked rather than painted over.
Areas In and Around Tempe
Calls come in from across Tempe, including:
- Downtown Tempe
- Mill Avenue
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Mesa
- Scottsdale
- Chandler
- Guadalupe
- Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
Water from the unit above came into my Tempe apartment. Who pays?
It depends on what failed and who was responsible for it. Generally the landlord or association handles the building, while your own belongings fall under your renters policy. Report the leak to management in writing, photograph damaged items before moving them, and keep receipts for anything you have to replace or for a hotel stay.
Could a release from Town Lake flood my home?
Town Lake's dams are built to pass large river flows and have been lowered several times to let high water through. The river channel carries that flow. Properties close to the river should still check their status on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center or with the city, since Tempe manages its own floodplain program.
Is mold likely after a leak in a dry place like Tempe?
It is less likely than in a humid state, but not unusual. Mold needs moisture more than humidity, and a slow leak inside a wall or under a sink provides it. Leaks during the monsoon dry more slowly. If materials stayed wet for more than a day or two, have them checked with a moisture meter.