Leasburg Diversion dam
Leasburg Diversion
Leasburg Diversion, located on the Rio Grande River in Mesilla, New Mexico, serves as a vital irrigation structure completed in 1906 under the supervision of the Bureau of Reclamation. This concrete dam stands at a height of 10 feet with a hydraulic height of 7 feet, providing a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet for agricultural purposes. With a spillway width of 600 feet and a maximum discharge of 17,000 cubic feet per second, the dam's hazard potential is deemed low, with a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed and regulated by the Bureau of Reclamation, Leasburg Diversion plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. The dam's primary purpose of irrigation highlights its significance in supporting agricultural activities in the area. Despite its age, the structure remains in good condition, with regular inspections conducted every 6 years to ensure its continued functionality and safety. The presence of emergency action plans and risk management measures further underscores the commitment to maintaining the dam's integrity and safeguarding surrounding communities in the event of unforeseen emergencies.
As a key component of the water infrastructure on the Rio Grande, Leasburg Diversion stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of water resource management in the region. With its strategic location and operational efficiency, the dam continues to play a pivotal role in providing essential water supply for agricultural activities while mitigating risks associated with its operation. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like Leasburg Diversion is essential in appreciating the intricate balance between human needs and environmental stewardship in managing water resources effectively.
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 Leasburg Diversion -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam | 529 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Leasburg Diversion.
Track Leasburg Diversion 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 Leasburg Diversion
Where does the data for Leasburg Diversion 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 Low 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 Leasburg Diversion.