Bolack No 1 Dam dam
Bolack No 1 Dam
Bolack No 1 Dam, located in Farmington, New Mexico, along the San Juan River, was completed in 1962 with the primary purpose of recreation. This private-owned Earth dam stands at a height of 19.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 182 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment was rated as poor during its last inspection in 2013.
The dam's designer, W. Carlos Powell, envisioned a structure that not only provides recreational opportunities but also serves as a vital component of the local water resource management system. With a surface area of 35 acres and a normal storage capacity of 170 acre-feet, Bolack No 1 Dam contributes to the water supply and management efforts in San Juan County. However, its poor condition assessment raises concerns about the need for maintenance and potential upgrades to ensure the safety and efficiency of the dam.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor Bolack No 1 Dam's risk assessment and condition, it is crucial to recognize the role that such structures play in balancing water usage for both recreational and practical purposes. With state regulatory agencies overseeing its operation and enforcement, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water management and environmental stewardship 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 Bolack No 1 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Animas River At Farmington | 1,020 cfs | → |
| San Juan River At Farmington | 1,090 cfs | → |
| La Plata River Near Farmington | 0 cfs | → |
| Animas River Below Aztec | 942 cfs | → |
| La Plata River At La Plata | 1 cfs | → |
| La Plata River At Colorado-New Mexico State Line | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bolack No 1 Dam.
Campgrounds
- Dunes Ohv Vehicle Ra
- Angel Peak
- Angel Peak Scenic Area
- Cox Canyon Arch Primitive Campsite
- Cottonwood - Navajo Lake State Park
- Simon Canyon Dispersed
Fishing spots
Track Bolack No 1 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 Bolack No 1 Dam
Where does the data for Bolack No 1 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 Bolack No 1 Dam.