Lake Roberts Dam

SAPILLO CREEK· Grant, New Mexico· Built 1963· Earth· 64 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Roberts Dam is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 64 ft (taller than 80.7% in NM)
Dam Length401 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage748 acre-ft
Surface Area61 acres
Drainage Area89 sq mi
Max Discharge66,168 cfs
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)
NID IDNM00273

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: April 21, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH

State Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Roberts Dam?

Lake Roberts 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 Lake Roberts Dam?

Lake Roberts 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 Lake Roberts Dam built?

Lake Roberts Dam was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Lake Roberts Dam?

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

How tall is Lake Roberts Dam?

Lake Roberts Dam has a dam height of 64 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 Lake Roberts Dam last inspected?

Lake Roberts Dam was last inspected on April 21, 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.