Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1

VELARDE ARROYO· Doña Ana, New Mexico· Built 1958· Earth· 38 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1 is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1958 and is 68 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 38 ft (taller than 60.7% in NM)
Dam Length610 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage420 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area27 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge7,600 cfs
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)
NID IDNM00213

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: No
Last Inspection: February 25, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

CABALLO SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1?

Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1 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 Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1?

Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1 is owned by CABALLO SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1 built?

Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1 was completed in 1958, making it 68 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 Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1?

Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1 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 Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1?

Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1 has a dam height of 38 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 Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1 last inspected?

Hatch Valley Arroyo Dam No. 1 was last inspected on February 25, 2020. 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.