Santa Rosa Dam, also known as Santa Rosa Lake, is a federal rockfill dam located on the Pecos River in New Mexico.
Wind
Humidity
Completed in 1979, the dam stands at a height of 214 feet and has a storage capacity of 717,000 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with additional benefits for irrigation and recreation. However, despite the dam's success in reducing flooding, there remains a high hazard potential, especially in the event of uncontrolled spillway flow, which could lead to catastrophic downstream damages to residences and infrastructure along the Pecos River.
To manage the risk associated with the Santa Rosa Dam, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) implements various measures such as routine inspections, maintenance activities, and risk communication. Inspections and evaluations are conducted regularly to monitor the dam's performance, with increased frequency during high pool levels or in response to external factors like earthquakes. Maintenance activities focus on gate rehabilitation, electrical and mechanical component replacements, and vegetation removal. Additionally, risk communication efforts include revising the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and coordinating flood warnings with downstream communities to ensure timely notifications in case of emergencies.
Year Completed |
1979 |
Dam Length |
1900 |
Dam Height |
214 |
River Or Stream |
PECOS RIVER |
Primary Dam Type |
Rockfill |
Surface Area |
16670 |
Hydraulic Height |
208 |
Drainage Area |
2434 |
Nid Storage |
717000 |
Structural Height |
214 |
Outlet Gates |
Vertical Lift - 0 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Rock |
Nid Height |
214 |