Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam

BIG DRAW· Cibola, New Mexico· Built 1960· Earth· 25 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 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 Length1,804 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage844 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area51 acres
Drainage Area16 sq mi
Max Discharge3,260 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
Year Modified2010
NID IDNM00207

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: November 5, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

LAVA SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam?

Prop Canyon Site 1 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 Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam?

Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam is owned by LAVA SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam built?

Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam?

Prop Canyon Site 1 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 Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam?

Prop Canyon Site 1 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 Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam last inspected?

Prop Canyon Site 1 Dam was last inspected on November 5, 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.