North Fork Dam

NORTH FORK OF LAS CRUCES ARROYO· Doña Ana, New Mexico· Built 1930· Earth· 35 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction State Government

Key Takeaway

North Fork Dam is classified as low hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 57.4% in NM)
Dam Length592 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge8,900 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDNM00660

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: April 20, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

NEW MEXICO STATE LAND OFFICE

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of North Fork Dam?

North Fork Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates North Fork Dam?

North Fork Dam is owned by NEW MEXICO STATE LAND OFFICE (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was North Fork Dam built?

North Fork Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 North Fork Dam?

North Fork 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 North Fork Dam?

North Fork Dam has a dam height of 35 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 North Fork Dam last inspected?

North Fork Dam was last inspected on April 20, 2016. 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.