Eagle Nest Dam dam
Eagle Nest Dam
Eagle Nest Dam, located in Colfax County, New Mexico, is a state-regulated structure with a primary purpose of irrigation. Completed in 1918, this arch dam stands at a height of 140 feet and has a hydraulic height of 133 feet, providing critical water storage for the surrounding area. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 81,000 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 98,400 acre-feet, serving the needs of both irrigation and recreation.
Situated on the Cimarron River, Eagle Nest Dam plays a crucial role in water management and supply for the region. With a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve as a vital infrastructure for water resource management, demonstrating the importance of sustainable water practices in the face of climate change.
With its impressive engineering design and historical significance, Eagle Nest Dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing water resources for the benefit of communities. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, understanding the role of structures like Eagle Nest Dam is essential in promoting sustainable water management practices and ensuring the resilience of our water infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Eagle Nest Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cimarron River Below Eagle Nest Dam | 19 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Near Cimarron | 13 cfs | → |
| Ponil Creek Near Cimarron | 0 cfs | → |
| Rio Pueblo De Taos Near Taos | 8 cfs | → |
| Rio Lucero Near Arroyo Seco | 8 cfs | → |
| Rayado Creek Near Cimarron | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eagle Nest Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Eagle Nest Lake State Park Campground
- Tolby Headwaters
- American Creek Camp
- Cimarron Canyon State Park
- Mt Phillips Camp
- American Creek Cow Camp
Fishing spots
- Red River Fishing
- Shuree Lakes Fishing
- Columbine Creek Fishing
- Rio Fernando Fishing
- Rio Chiquito Fishing
- Rito De La Olla Fishing
Track Eagle Nest Dam 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 Eagle Nest Dam
Where does the data for Eagle Nest Dam 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 Eagle Nest Dam.