Sanchez dam
Sanchez
Sanchez is a privately owned dam located in San Luis, Colorado, with a primary purpose of irrigation. Built in 1911, this Earth dam stands at a height of 130 feet and has a storage capacity of 137,850 acre-feet. The dam overlooks Ventero Creek and serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife pond creation, irrigation, and recreation. With a surface area of 3,145 acres and a drainage area of 86 square miles, Sanchez plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Despite its significant storage capacity and vital functions, Sanchez faces challenges in terms of safety and maintenance. The dam has a high hazard potential and is currently assessed as unsatisfactory in condition. Its spillway is uncontrolled and has a width of 120 feet. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status is unclear, and there are no recent inundation maps prepared. With a risk assessment rating of moderate (3), Sanchez requires careful risk management and regular inspections to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
Sanchez's structural height of 137 feet and maximum discharge capacity of 8,850 cubic feet per second highlight its importance in managing water flow and storage in the area. As a key irrigation infrastructure, it not only supports agricultural activities but also provides opportunities for wildlife habitat creation and recreational activities. However, the dam's current condition and risk assessment underscore the need for ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and emergency preparedness to safeguard its integrity and the well-being of downstream communities.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Sanchez -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Culebra Creek At San Luis | 51 cfs | → |
| Costilla Creek Near Garcia | · | → |
| Costilla Creek Near Costilla | 6 cfs | → |
| Casias Creek Near Costilla | 3 cfs | → |
| Costilla Creek Above Costilla Dam | 2 cfs | → |
| Santistevan Creek Near Costilla | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sanchez.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Sanchez Reservoir
- Stabilization Reservoir
- Mountain Home Reservoir
- Smith Reservoir (Costilla Cty)
- Monument Reservoir (Trinidad)
- North Lake
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Costilla Creek
- Nf Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Rio Grande River Segment B
- Rio Grande River Segment C
- Headwaters To Comanche Point
- Headwaters To Nf Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Sanchez in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Sanchez
Where does the data for Sanchez come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Sanchez.