Cabresto Dam

LAKE FORK CREEK· Taos, New Mexico· Built 2012· Earth· 78 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Cabresto Dam is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 2012 and is 14 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 78 ft (taller than 85.3% in NM)
Dam Length218 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.1K acre-ft
Surface Area29 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge17,579 cfs
Year Completed2012 (14 years old)
NID IDNM00240

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: June 20, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

CABRESTO LAKE IRRIG.CO;LLANO COMMUNITY DITCH

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cabresto Dam?

Cabresto Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Cabresto Dam?

Cabresto Dam is owned by CABRESTO LAKE IRRIG.CO;LLANO COMMUNITY DITCH (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cabresto Dam built?

Cabresto Dam was completed in 2012, making it 14 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 Cabresto Dam?

Cabresto Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cabresto Dam?

Cabresto Dam has a dam height of 78 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 Cabresto Dam last inspected?

Cabresto Dam was last inspected on June 20, 2019. 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.