Miami Lake Dam No. 2

HECK ARROYO-OS· Colfax, New Mexico· Built 1913· Earth· 50 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Miami Lake Dam No. 2 is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1913 and is 113 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 50 ft (taller than 71.5% in NM)
Dam Length3,880 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.5K acre-ft
Surface Area220 acres
Drainage Area21 sq mi
Max Discharge40,553 cfs
Year Completed1913 (113 years old)
NID IDNM00344

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: June 20, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

MIAMI WATER USER'S ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Miami Lake Dam No. 2?

Miami Lake Dam No. 2 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 Miami Lake Dam No. 2?

Miami Lake Dam No. 2 is owned by MIAMI WATER USER'S ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Miami Lake Dam No. 2 built?

Miami Lake Dam No. 2 was completed in 1913, making it 113 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 Miami Lake Dam No. 2?

Miami Lake Dam No. 2 serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Miami Lake Dam No. 2?

Miami Lake Dam No. 2 has a dam height of 50 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 Miami Lake Dam No. 2 last inspected?

Miami Lake Dam No. 2 was last inspected on June 20, 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.