Urraca Dam

NORTH FORK URRACA CREEK· Colfax, New Mexico· Built 1952· Earth· 60 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Urraca Dam is classified as low hazard in New Mexico. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 60 ft (taller than 77.9% in NM)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage136 acre-ft
Normal Storage39 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge11,400 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDNM00359

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: Yes
Last Inspection: June 1, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Ownership

BOYS SCOUTS OF AMERICA INC PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH

Private

Nearby Dams

Webster Dam

Colfax, NM

High Hazard 36 ft

Cimarroncito Dam

Colfax, NM

High Hazard 58 ft

Hagardon Reservoir No. 5

Colfax, NM

Low Hazard 30 ft

Lewis Reservoir Dam

Colfax, NM

Low Hazard 16 ft

French Lake Dam

Colfax, NM

Low Hazard 29 ft

Miami Lake Dam No. 2

Colfax, NM

High Hazard 50 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Urraca Dam?

Urraca 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 Urraca Dam?

Urraca Dam is owned by BOYS SCOUTS OF AMERICA INC PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Urraca Dam built?

Urraca Dam was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Urraca Dam?

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

How tall is Urraca Dam?

Urraca Dam has a dam height of 60 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 Urraca Dam last inspected?

Urraca Dam was last inspected on June 1, 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.