Jackson Lake Dam

LA PLATA RIVER-OS· San Juan, New Mexico· Built 1919· Earth· 45 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Jackson Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1919 and is 107 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 45 ft (taller than 66.9% in NM)
Dam Length550 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage911 acre-ft
Surface Area73 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,223 cfs
Year Completed1919 (107 years old)
Year Modified1951
NID IDNM00337

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: May 23, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Jackson Lake Dam?

Jackson Lake 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 Jackson Lake Dam?

Jackson Lake Dam is owned by NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Jackson Lake Dam built?

Jackson Lake 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 Jackson Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Jackson Lake Dam?

Jackson Lake Dam has a dam height of 45 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 Jackson Lake Dam last inspected?

Jackson Lake Dam was last inspected on May 23, 2017. 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.