Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam

CANADA ANCHA· Rio Arriba, New Mexico· Built 1962· Earth· 56 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 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 56 ft (taller than 75.8% in NM)
Dam Length1,032 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage963 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area43 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge7,298 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDNM00260

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: October 26, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

SANTA FE-POJOAQUE SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DIST.

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam?

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam?

Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam is owned by SANTA FE-POJOAQUE SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DIST. (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam built?

Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam?

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam?

Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam has a dam height of 56 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 Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam last inspected?

Santa Cruz Site 1 Dam was last inspected on October 26, 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.