Railroad Dam No.1

EL RITO CREEK· Guadalupe, New Mexico· Built 1907· Concrete· 22 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Railroad Dam No.1 is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1907 and is 119 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 22 ft (taller than 22.4% in NM)
Dam Length800 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage158 acre-ft
Normal Storage92 acre-ft
Surface Area53 acres
Drainage Area34 sq mi
Max Discharge2,800 cfs
Year Completed1907 (119 years old)
Year Modified1983
NID IDNM00332

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: November 18, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

CITY OF SANTA ROSA

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Railroad Dam No.1?

Railroad Dam No.1 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 Railroad Dam No.1?

Railroad Dam No.1 is owned by CITY OF SANTA ROSA (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Railroad Dam No.1 built?

Railroad Dam No.1 was completed in 1907, making it 119 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 Railroad Dam No.1?

Railroad Dam No.1 serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Railroad Dam No.1?

Railroad Dam No.1 has a dam height of 22 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 Railroad Dam No.1 last inspected?

Railroad Dam No.1 was last inspected on November 18, 2015. 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.