Throttle Dam No. 2

UNA DE GATO CREEK· Colfax, New Mexico· Built 1914· Earth· 67 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Throttle Dam No. 2 is classified as high hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1914 and is 112 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 67 ft (taller than 82.2% in NM)
Dam Length1,050 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.9K acre-ft
Drainage Area48 sq mi
Max Discharge5,120 cfs
Year Completed1914 (112 years old)
NID IDNM00361

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: May 5, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

T. O. RANCH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Throttle Dam No. 2?

Throttle Dam No. 2 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 Throttle Dam No. 2?

Throttle Dam No. 2 is owned by T. O. RANCH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Throttle Dam No. 2 built?

Throttle Dam No. 2 was completed in 1914, making it 112 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 Throttle Dam No. 2?

Throttle Dam No. 2 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 Throttle Dam No. 2?

Throttle Dam No. 2 has a dam height of 67 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 Throttle Dam No. 2 last inspected?

Throttle Dam No. 2 was last inspected on May 5, 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.