Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8

COTTONWOOD CREEK· Eddy, New Mexico· Built 1988· Earth· 61 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8 is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1988 and is 38 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 61 ft (taller than 79.4% in NM)
Dam Length8,832 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage13.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Drainage Area60 sq mi
Max Discharge70,244 cfs
Year Completed1988 (38 years old)
Year Modified1999
NID IDNM00501

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: February 27, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

COTTONWOOD-WALNUT CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8?

Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8 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 Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8?

Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8 is owned by COTTONWOOD-WALNUT CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8 built?

Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8 was completed in 1988, making it 38 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 Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8?

Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8?

Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8 has a dam height of 61 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 Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8 last inspected?

Cottonw Ood-Walnut Site #8 was last inspected on February 27, 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.