Santa Rosa Dam
Key Takeaway
Santa Rosa Dam is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 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 | 214 ft (taller than 96.9% in NM) |
| Dam Length | 1,900 ft |
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| Max Storage | 717.0K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 200.0K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 16,670 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2,434 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 353,000 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1979 (47 years old) |
| NID ID | NM00158 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
USACE - Albuquerque District
Federal Government
Nearby Dams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Santa Rosa Dam?
Santa Rosa 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 Rosa Dam?
Santa Rosa Dam is owned by USACE - Albuquerque District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Santa Rosa Dam built?
Santa Rosa Dam was completed in 1979, making it 47 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 Rosa Dam?
Santa Rosa Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Other, Irrigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Santa Rosa Dam?
Santa Rosa Dam has a dam height of 214 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 Rosa Dam last inspected?
Santa Rosa Dam was last inspected on April 7, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.