Poncenaâ Dam

LA PONCHA STREAM OFFTREAM· Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico· Built 1939· Earth· 48 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Poncenaâ Dam is classified as high hazard in Puerto Rico. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 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 48 ft (taller than 11.1% in PR)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.4K acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1939 (87 years old)
NID IDPR00035

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: August 22, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: PREPA

Ownership

SUCESION SERRALLES INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Poncenaâ Dam?

Poncenaâ 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 Poncenaâ Dam?

Poncenaâ Dam is owned by SUCESION SERRALLES INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Poncenaâ Dam built?

Poncenaâ Dam was completed in 1939, making it 87 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 Poncenaâ Dam?

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

How tall is Poncenaâ Dam?

Poncenaâ Dam has a dam height of 48 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 Poncenaâ Dam last inspected?

Poncenaâ Dam was last inspected on August 22, 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.