Hopewell Lake Dam dam
Hopewell Lake Dam
Hopewell Lake Dam, located in Rio Arriba, New Mexico, was completed in 1953 and stands at a height of 27 feet, with a length of 340 feet. The dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, with a storage capacity of 170 acre-feet and a surface area of 13 acres. It is situated on Placer Creek and is regulated by the Office of the State Engineer in New Mexico.
Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, with a moderate risk rating, the dam remains a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts in the area. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 42 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 1815 cubic feet per second. It is also subject to regular state inspections, with the last inspection conducted in November 2015.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Hopewell Lake Dam presents an interesting case study in dam management and risk assessment. With its historical significance, recreational value, and regulatory oversight by the state, the dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of water infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety in the region.
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 Hopewell Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Chama Near La Puente | 161 cfs | → |
| Conejos River Near Mogote | 933 cfs | → |
| Rio Ojo Caliente At La Madera | 8 cfs | → |
| Rio Chama Below El Vado Dam | 182 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande Near Cerro | 88 cfs | → |
| Red River Below Fish Hatchery | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hopewell Lake Dam.
Campgrounds
- Hopewell Lake
- Hopewell Lake Campground
- Trout Lakes Campground
- Trout Lakes
- Canjilon Lakes Campground
- Canjilon Lakes
Fishing spots
- Hidden Lakes Fishing
- Rio Nutritas Fishing
- Lagunitas Creek Fishing
- El Rito Creek Fishing
- Rio Vallecitos Fishing
- Trujillo Meadows Lake
Track Hopewell 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 Hopewell Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hopewell 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 Significant 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 Hopewell Lake Dam.