Cochiti Dam dam
Cochiti Dam
Cochiti Dam, also known as Cochiti Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Sandoval, New Mexico, near COCHITI PUEBLO. Completed in 1975 by CESPA, the dam primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction along the RIO GRANDE & SANTA FE rivers. Standing at a height of 251 feet and with a storage capacity of 722,000 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flooding in the region.
Despite its successful flood risk reduction efforts, the Cochiti Dam project still poses a high hazard potential, as larger releases during emergency operations could overwhelm downstream river channels and cause catastrophic flooding to surrounding communities. A risk assessment conducted in 2009 deemed the likelihood of a dam breach as low, but highlighted the potential for life-threatening inundation and damage to infrastructure if such an event were to occur. The US Army Corps of Engineers, who own and manage the dam, implement various risk management measures including regular inspections, maintenance activities, and risk communication to safeguard against potential risks.
In conclusion, Cochiti Dam stands as a critical infrastructure for flood control in the region, but remains a potential source of danger in extreme circumstances. The ongoing efforts by the US Army Corps of Engineers to monitor and maintain the dam demonstrate their commitment to managing the associated risks and ensuring the safety of downstream communities along the Rio Grande to Elephant Butte Lake. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Cochiti Dam serves as a fascinating example of the complex interplay between infrastructure, natural forces, and the importance of proactive risk management in safeguarding against potential disasters.
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 Cochiti Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Below Cochiti Dam | 214 cfs | → |
| Santa Fe River Above Cochiti Lake | 1 cfs | → |
| Rito De Los Frijoles In Bandelier Nat Mon | 1 cfs | → |
| Galisteo Creek Below Galisteo Dam | · | → |
| Rio Grande At San Felipe | 532 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Otowi Bridge | 286 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cochiti Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Cochiti - Cochiti Lake
- Tetilla Peak - Cochiti Lake
- Juniper - Bandelier National Monument
- Ponderosa Reservation Group Campground
- Las Conchas
- Paliza Family Campground
Fishing spots
- Bluffs Fishing Site
- River's Bend Fishing Site
- Rincon Fishing Site
- San Diego Fishing Site
- Dark Canyon Fishing Site
- Las Casitas Fishing Site
Track Cochiti 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 Cochiti Dam
Where does the data for Cochiti 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 Cochiti Dam.