Smithson Reservoir No. 4

TRAMPEROS CREEK - TR· Union, New Mexico· Built 1970· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Smithson Reservoir No. 4 is classified as low hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 17.2% in NM)
Dam Length810 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage230 acre-ft
Normal Storage124 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area23 sq mi
Max Discharge10,350 cfs
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDNM00324

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 16, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

CAROLYN LUTES

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Smithson Reservoir No. 4?

Smithson Reservoir No. 4 is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Smithson Reservoir No. 4?

Smithson Reservoir No. 4 is owned by CAROLYN LUTES (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Smithson Reservoir No. 4 built?

Smithson Reservoir No. 4 was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Smithson Reservoir No. 4?

Smithson Reservoir No. 4 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 Smithson Reservoir No. 4?

Smithson Reservoir No. 4 has a dam height of 20 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 Smithson Reservoir No. 4 last inspected?

Smithson Reservoir No. 4 was last inspected on June 16, 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.