Abbott Lake Upper Dam

SAUZ CREEK· Harding, New Mexico· Built 1919· Arch· 26 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Abbott Lake Upper Dam is classified as low hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1919 and is 107 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 32.2% in NM)
Dam Length320 ft
Dam TypeArch
Max Storage156 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area55 sq mi
Max Discharge3,231 cfs
Year Completed1919 (107 years old)
NID IDNM00193

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: November 13, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

BACA, MIKE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Abbott Lake Upper Dam?

Abbott Lake Upper Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Abbott Lake Upper Dam?

Abbott Lake Upper Dam is owned by BACA, MIKE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Abbott Lake Upper Dam built?

Abbott Lake Upper Dam was completed in 1919, making it 107 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Abbott Lake Upper Dam?

Abbott Lake Upper Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Abbott Lake Upper Dam?

Abbott Lake Upper Dam has a dam height of 26 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Abbott Lake Upper Dam last inspected?

Abbott Lake Upper Dam was last inspected on November 13, 2013. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.