Completed in 1963, the dam stands at 340 feet high and serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction, recreation, and water supply. It holds a maximum storage capacity of 1,369,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3,900 acres. The dam's primary function is to reduce flooding along the Rio Chama, but it also poses risks in case of emergency operations that could lead to downstream flooding, particularly impacting communities along the Rio Grande to Cochiti Lake.
A recent risk assessment in 2019 categorized the dam breach risk as low, with a low likelihood of occurrence during normal operations or extreme events. The assessment identified potential risks related to seepage-induced loss of embankment materials during high lake levels. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) implements various risk management measures, including routine inspections, assessments, maintenance activities, and risk communication efforts to monitor and mitigate potential hazards. Despite its significant flood risk reduction benefits, the Abiquiu Dam remains a critical structure requiring ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of downstream communities and infrastructure along the Rio Chama and Rio Grande.
Wind
Humidity
Year Completed |
1963 |
Dam Length |
1800 |
Dam Height |
340 |
River Or Stream |
RIO CHAMA |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
3900 |
Hydraulic Height |
319 |
Drainage Area |
2146 |
Nid Storage |
1369000 |
Structural Height |
354 |
Outlet Gates |
Vertical Lift - 0 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Nid Height |
354 |
Rio Chama Below Abiquiu Dam
|
42cfs |
Rio Chama Above Abiquiu Reservoir
|
86cfs |
Rio Chama Near Chamita
|
66cfs |
Rio Ojo Caliente At La Madera
|
23cfs |
Rio Grande At Embudo
|
510cfs |
Embudo Creek At Dixon
|
34cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Riana Campground
|
||
Riana - Abiquiu Reservoir
|
||
Echo Campground
|
||
Echo Amphitheater
|