Tortugas Site 2 Dam dam
Tortugas Site 2 Dam
Tortugas Site 2 Dam, located in Doña Ana, New Mexico, is a vital structure designed by the USDA NRCS to reduce flood risks along the Tortugas Arroyo. Built in 1962, this earth dam stands at a height of 22.6 feet and a length of 1560 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 121 acre-feet. Despite its essential function in flood risk reduction, the dam's condition assessment is marked as poor, with a high hazard potential, highlighting the urgent need for maintenance and repair.
The dam's primary purpose of flood risk reduction is crucial for protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation, given the high hazard potential associated with its current condition. The dam's location in the city of LAS CRUCES, TORTUGAS underscores its significance in safeguarding the community from potential flooding events. With a drainage area of 0.88 square miles and a maximum discharge of 3300 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow along the Tortugas Arroyo, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness.
As a state-regulated dam under the jurisdiction of the OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER in New Mexico, Tortugas Site 2 Dam faces moderate risk (level 3) according to the latest risk assessment. The collaboration between local government and federal agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, underscores the importance of coordinated efforts in managing and maintaining critical water resource infrastructure. With its strategic location and essential role in flood risk reduction, the Tortugas Site 2 Dam serves as a key asset in protecting the community and surrounding area from potential water-related hazards.
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 Tortugas Site 2 Dam.
Track Tortugas Site 2 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 Tortugas Site 2 Dam
Where does the data for Tortugas Site 2 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 High 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 Tortugas Site 2 Dam.