Nambe Falls dam
Nambe Falls
Nambe Falls, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a stunning concrete dam structure built in 1975 by the Bureau of Reclamation. The primary purpose of the dam is to create a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing essential habitat for local wildlife. With a height of 150 feet and a hydraulic height of 135 feet, Nambe Falls boasts a storage capacity of 2601 acre-feet and a surface area of 59 acres. The dam also serves for irrigation and recreational purposes, enhancing the local ecosystem and providing a scenic backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts.
Managed and funded by the Bureau of Reclamation, Nambe Falls is a vital part of the Rio Nambe River watershed. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 110 feet, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 22,500 cubic feet per second. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is well-maintained, with a moderate risk assessment rating. The surrounding area offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife observation, making Nambe Falls a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the intersection of nature and engineering in a beautiful setting.
Overall, Nambe Falls stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human development and environmental conservation. As a key player in water resource management in New Mexico, this dam not only provides essential services for the local community but also serves as a symbol of sustainable infrastructure design. Whether you are interested in the engineering marvels of concrete dam construction or the ecological benefits of Fish and Wildlife Ponds, Nambe Falls offers a captivating blend of history, technology, and natural beauty for all to enjoy.
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 Nambe Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Nambe Below Nambe Falls Dam Near Nambe | 6 cfs | → |
| Rio Nambe Above Nambe Falls Dam Near Nambe | 36 cfs | → |
| Tesuque Creek Above Diversions Near Santa Fe | 1 cfs | → |
| Santa Cruz River Near Cundiyo | 12 cfs | → |
| Santa Fe River Near Santa Fe | 7 cfs | → |
| Santa Fe R Abv Mcclure Res (8 Ft) | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nambe Falls.
Boat launches
- Santa Cruz Lake Road Santa Fe County
- Santa Cruz Lake Boat Ramp
- County Line Boat Launch
- County Line Boat Takeout
- De Norte Bridge Las Cruces New Mexico Access Point
- Tetilla Peak Campground Sandoval County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Windsor Creek
- Cowles Ponds Fishing Site
- Cowles Ponds
- Trampas Lakes Fishing
- Dalton Fishing
- Upper Dalton Fishing Access Fishing Site
Track Nambe Falls 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 Nambe Falls
Where does the data for Nambe Falls 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 Nambe Falls.