Las Uvas Detention Dam #1 dam
Las Uvas Detention Dam #1
Las Uvas Detention Dam #1, located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, serves as a vital structure managed by the Bureau of Land Management to mitigate flood risks along the Coyote Canyon. Built in 1958, this gravity dam stands at a structural height of 32 feet and has a hydraulic height of 26 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 177 acre-feet across its 642-foot length. Despite its age, the dam's hazard potential is rated as low, but its condition assessment is marked as poor, indicating a need for maintenance and potential upgrades to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood risk reduction.
With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, Las Uvas Detention Dam #1 plays a crucial role in protecting downstream communities from potential inundation during heavy rainfall events. Even though the dam has not undergone significant modifications over the years, its moderate risk assessment (rating of 3) highlights the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures to uphold its structural integrity and functionality. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and poor condition assessment underline the need for improved maintenance practices and potentially an emergency action plan to address any unforeseen events that may arise.
Despite its age and maintenance challenges, Las Uvas Detention Dam #1 remains a key piece of infrastructure in the region, managed by the Bureau of Land Management to safeguard against flooding and protect surrounding areas from potential water-related hazards. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and water resources, the importance of maintaining and upgrading such structures becomes increasingly evident to ensure the resilience of communities and ecosystems in the face of a changing climate.
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 Las Uvas Detention Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam | 514 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Las Uvas Detention Dam #1.
Track Las Uvas Detention Dam #1 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 Las Uvas Detention Dam #1
Where does the data for Las Uvas Detention Dam #1 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 Las Uvas Detention Dam #1.