Toa Vaca Dam

TOA VACA RIVER· Villalba, Puerto Rico· Built 1972· Concrete· 215 ft tall

High Hazard Irrigation Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Toa Vaca Dam is classified as high hazard in Puerto Rico. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 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	215 ft (taller than 88.9% in PR)
Dam Type	Concrete
Max Storage	60.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage	55.9K acre-ft

Surface Area	310 acres
Drainage Area	22 sq mi
Max Discharge	77,100 cfs
Year Completed	1972 (54 years old)
NID ID	PR00014

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: April 16, 2019

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: PREPA

Ownership

PUERTO RICO AQUEDUCT AND SEWER AUTHORITY

Public Utility

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Toa Vaca Dam?

Toa Vaca 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 Toa Vaca Dam?

Toa Vaca Dam is owned by PUERTO RICO AQUEDUCT AND SEWER AUTHORITY (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Toa Vaca Dam built?

Toa Vaca Dam was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Toa Vaca Dam?

Toa Vaca Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Toa Vaca Dam?

Toa Vaca Dam has a dam height of 215 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 Toa Vaca Dam last inspected?

Toa Vaca Dam was last inspected on April 16, 2019. 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.