Secho Detention Dam dam
Secho Detention Dam
Located in Hidalgo, New Mexico, the Secho Detention Dam was completed in 1954 by the Bureau of Land Management to reduce flood risks in the area. The dam, designed as a Gravity type structure with a Stone core, stands at a hydraulic height of 12 feet and a structural height of 17 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 100 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.97 square miles, the dam helps control the flow of the Railroad Wash stream, with a maximum discharge of 1382 cubic feet per second.
The Secho Detention Dam spans 925 feet in length and covers a surface area of 46 acres. Its uncontrolled spillway, measuring 2 feet in width, contributes to its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment. With a moderate risk rating of 3, the dam undergoes inspections every 5 years to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood management. While the dam lacks lock structures, its design and maintenance by the Bureau of Land Management highlight a commitment to protecting the surrounding area from potential water-related disasters.
Managed by federal agencies and funded by the Bureau of Land Management, the Secho Detention Dam serves as a vital tool in mitigating flood risks in Duncan, Arizona. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like the Secho Detention Dam play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the growing threats of extreme weather events. Its strategic location and purposeful design make it a significant asset in the region's water resource management efforts, showcasing the importance of proactive infrastructure development 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 Secho Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gila River Below Blue Creek | 17 cfs | → |
| Gila River At Duncan | 12 cfs | → |
| Gila River Near Redrock | 23 cfs | → |
| Gila River Near Clifton | 16 cfs | → |
| Gila River At Head Of Safford Valley | 29 cfs | → |
| San Francisco River At Clifton | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Secho Detention Dam.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Secho Detention 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 Secho Detention Dam
Where does the data for Secho Detention 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 Secho Detention Dam.