Martin Arroyo Dam

MARTIN ARROYO· San Juan, New Mexico· Built 1987· Earth· 25 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Martin Arroyo Dam is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1987 and is 39 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 25 ft (taller than 29.1% in NM)
Dam Length215 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage54 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge2,516 cfs
Year Completed1987 (39 years old)
NID IDNM00523

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: December 3, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

CITY OF FARMINGTON

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Martin Arroyo Dam?

Martin Arroyo 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 Martin Arroyo Dam?

Martin Arroyo Dam is owned by CITY OF FARMINGTON (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Martin Arroyo Dam built?

Martin Arroyo Dam was completed in 1987, making it 39 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 Martin Arroyo Dam?

Martin Arroyo Dam 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 Martin Arroyo Dam?

Martin Arroyo Dam has a dam height of 25 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 Martin Arroyo Dam last inspected?

Martin Arroyo Dam was last inspected on December 3, 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.