Lee Detention dam
Lee Detention
Lee Detention, located in Otero, New Mexico, is a gravity dam under the ownership and regulation of the Bureau of Land Management. Built in 1962 with a primary purpose of debris control on the New Tank Draw river/stream, this structure stands at a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 26 feet, with a length of 916 feet. It has a maximum storage capacity of 176.28 acre-feet and a surface area of 23 acres, serving as a vital water resource in the region.
Managed by the DOI BLM, Lee Detention plays a crucial role in water management and flood control in the area. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, the dam undergoes inspections every five years to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. While it may not have a spillway or outlet gates, the dam's presence provides essential protection against potential hazards and contributes to the overall safety and sustainability of the surrounding environment.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in Dell City, Texas, Lee Detention remains a significant asset for the region, despite being not under state jurisdiction or permitting. With its history of serving as a reliable resource for debris control and flood mitigation, this gravity dam stands as a testament to the importance of proper water management in the face of climate change and evolving environmental challenges.
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.
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lee Detention.
Paddle runs
- Confluence Of Western Headwaters (Sec 36, T18s, R12e) To Northern Boundary Of Private Land
- Northern Boundary Of Sec 25, T18s, R11e To Confluence Of Sacramento River And Apple Tree Canyon
- Headwaters Of All Streams Within Mckittrick Canyon Watershed To Nf Boundary
- Southern Boundary Of Sec 3, T26s, R21e Along Dark Canyon To Confluence Of Dark And Fir Canyons In Sec 25, T25s, R21e
- Headwaters Of Big Canyon To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters Of Middle Fork Big Canyon And North Fork Big Canyon To Nf Boundary
Track Lee Detention 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 Lee Detention
Where does the data for Lee Detention 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 Lee Detention.