Snow Lake Dam

SNOW CREEK· Catron, New Mexico· Built 1967· Earth· 86 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Snow Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 86 ft (taller than 87.4% in NM)
Dam Length325 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage9.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.5K acre-ft
Surface Area539 acres
Drainage Area90 sq mi
Max Discharge987 cfs
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)
NID IDNM00058

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: September 16, 2014
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH

State Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Snow Lake Dam?

Snow Lake Dam 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 Snow Lake Dam?

Snow Lake Dam is owned by NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Snow Lake Dam built?

Snow Lake Dam was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Snow Lake Dam?

Snow Lake Dam 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 Snow Lake Dam?

Snow Lake Dam has a dam height of 86 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 Snow Lake Dam last inspected?

Snow Lake Dam was last inspected on September 16, 2014. 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.