Snow Lake Dam dam
Snow Lake Dam
Snow Lake Dam, also known as Snow Creek Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Catron, New Mexico, near the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center. Built in 1967 by CHAMBERS & CAMPBELL, INC., this earth dam stands at a height of 86 feet and has a hydraulic height of 66 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 9,600 acre-feet. The primary purpose of this dam is for recreation, providing a surface area of 539 acres for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
Managed by the Office of the State Engineer in New Mexico, Snow Lake Dam is in a satisfactory condition with a low hazard potential. The dam is inspected every five years, with the last assessment conducted in 2014. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam has shown to be structurally sound and safe for visitors. In case of emergencies, there are emergency action plans in place, although specific details regarding preparedness and guidelines meeting are not available.
Snow Lake Dam serves as a vital resource for water storage and recreational activities in the area. With its picturesque surroundings and ample storage capacity, this dam provides both beauty and functionality for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate and explore.
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 Snow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mogollon Creek Near Cliff | 2 cfs | → |
| Gila River Near Gila | 33 cfs | → |
| San Francisco River Near Glenwood | 17 cfs | → |
| San Francisco River Near Reserve | 3,350 cfs | → |
| Blue River Near Clifton | 0 cfs | → |
| Gila River Near Redrock | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Snow Lake Dam.
Campgrounds
- Dipping Vat
- Dipping Vat Campground
- Aeroplane Mesa
- Aeroplane Mesa Campground
- Willow Creek Campground
- Ben Lilly
Fishing spots
- Mogollon Box Day Use Area
- Luna Lake
- San Francisco River
- Cove Day Use Area
- Aker Lake Fishing Site
- Hulsey Lake Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With Big Dry Creek
- Headwaters In Gila National Forest To Eastern Boundary Of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
- Headwaters To Northern Boundary Gila Cliff Dwellings Nm
- Headwaters To Trail 810
- Northern Boundary Nm To Eastern Boundary Gila Cliff Dwellings Nm
- Gila Wilderness Boundary (Below Snow Lake) To Gila Wilderness Boundary (Sec 24, T12s, R14w)
Track Snow Lake 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 Snow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Snow Lake 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 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 Snow Lake Dam.