Sebastian Martin Site 3 Dam dam
Sebastian Martin Site 3 Dam
Sebastian Martin Site 3 Dam, also known as Arroyo De San Rafael Retard Dam, is a crucial flood risk reduction structure located in Rio Arriba, New Mexico. Constructed in 1977 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 45.3 feet with a structural height of 69 feet and a length of 800 feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, serving the local community and protecting the San Rafael River.
With a storage capacity of 151 acre-feet, this dam plays a significant role in managing water resources in the region, especially during periods of high discharge. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 75 feet, and it has been assessed to be in fair condition as of December 2017. Recognized as a high hazard potential structure, the Sebastian Martin Site 3 Dam is subject to regular inspections, with a moderate risk assessment rating. As climate change impacts continue to affect water resources, the dam's importance in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water security for the local community cannot be overstated.
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 Sebastian Martin Site 3 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Chama Near Chamita | 111 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Embudo | 264 cfs | → |
| Embudo Creek At Dixon | 4 cfs | → |
| Santa Cruz River Near Cundiyo | 10 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Otowi Bridge | 286 cfs | → |
| Rio Ojo Caliente At La Madera | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sebastian Martin Site 3 Dam.
Boat launches
- Santa Cruz Lake Boat Ramp
- Santa Cruz Lake Road Santa Fe County
- De Norte Bridge Las Cruces New Mexico Access Point
- County Line Boat Takeout
- County Line Boat Launch
- Quartzite Boat Takeout
Campgrounds
- Northlake Campground
- North Lake - Santa Cruz Lake
- Santa Cruz Lake Overlook Campground
- Overlook - Santa Cruz Lake
- Gorham Scout Ranch
- Santa Clara Canyon Campground
Fishing spots
- Rio Vallecitos Fishing
- Rio Trampas Fishing
- El Rito Creek Fishing
- Trampas Lakes Fishing
- Rio Chama Fishing
- Windsor Creek
Paddle runs
Track Sebastian Martin Site 3 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 Sebastian Martin Site 3 Dam
Where does the data for Sebastian Martin Site 3 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 Sebastian Martin Site 3 Dam.