Maxwell Dam No. 11 dam
Maxwell Dam No. 11
Located in Maxwell, New Mexico, Maxwell Dam No. 11 is a private irrigation structure designed by the Bureau of Reclamation and completed in 1914. This earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and a length of 3890 feet, with a storage capacity of 637 acre-feet. Serving the primary purpose of irrigation, the dam regulates the Vermejo River and features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 40 feet.
Managed by the Office of the State Engineer in New Mexico, Maxwell Dam No. 11 is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement measures. Despite its poor condition assessment in 2016, the dam poses a low hazard potential with a moderate risk level. Although it has not been modified in recent years, the dam continues to play a crucial role in water resource management in Colfax County, New Mexico.
As a key component of the irrigation infrastructure in the region, Maxwell Dam No. 11 supports agricultural activities and contributes to the water supply for the surrounding area. With a focus on water conservation and sustainable usage, the dam represents a vital resource for the local community and underscores the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical infrastructure to ensure its long-term functionality and safety in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Maxwell Dam No. 11 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Tail Ditch Nr Maxwell | · | → |
| Vermejo River Near Dawson | 3 cfs | → |
| Ponil Creek Near Cimarron | 1 cfs | → |
| Canadian River Near Taylor Springs | 16 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Near Cimarron | 13 cfs | → |
| Rayado Creek Near Cimarron | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Maxwell Dam No. 11.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Shuree Lakes Fishing
- Trinidad Reservoir
- Red River Fishing
- Monument Reservoir (Trinidad)
- Columbine Creek Fishing
- North Lake
Paddle runs
Track Maxwell Dam No. 11 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 Maxwell Dam No. 11
Where does the data for Maxwell Dam No. 11 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 Maxwell Dam No. 11.