Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6 dam
Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6
Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6 is a local government-owned flood risk reduction structure located in Cottonwood, New Mexico. Built in 1986 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 53 feet and spans a length of 8607 feet along Cottonwood Creek. With a maximum discharge capacity of 95600 cubic feet per second, the dam serves to protect the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
The dam is regulated by the Office of the State Engineer in New Mexico and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Classified as having a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6 is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam plays a crucial role in managing flood risks in the region and is a key component of the local water resource infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6 serves as an important example of how local governments work in partnership with federal agencies to protect communities from the impacts of flooding. By understanding the design and operational characteristics of this dam, enthusiasts can gain insights into the complex network of water management systems that help mitigate risks and safeguard water resources in regions prone to flooding.
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 Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pecos River Near Lake Arthur | 246 cfs | → |
| Rio Penasco At Dayton | · | → |
| Pecos River Near Artesia | 175 cfs | → |
| Rio Felix At Old Hwy Brd Nr Hagerman | · | → |
| Fourmile Draw Nr Lakewood | · | → |
| Pecos River (Kaiser Channel) Near Lakewood | 276 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6.
Paddle runs
- Eastern Boundary Of Private Land Along Sitting Bull Canyon In Sec 19, T24s, R22e To Eastern Nf Boundary
- Pine Canyon (East Of Private Land In Sec 26, T24s, R21e) To Confluence Of Sitting Bull Canyon And Last Chance Canyon
- Headwaters Of Channel In Sec 9, T24s, R22e To Sitting Bull Canyon
- Eastern Boundary Of Private Land In Sec 2, T25s, R22e To Confluence Of Turkey And Dark Canyons In Sec 26, T24s, R22e
- Confluence Of Turkey Canyon And Robinson Draw (Sec 33, T24s, R22e) To Confluence Of Turkey And Dark Canyons In Sec 26, T24s, R22e
- Headwaters In Sec 12, T25s, R22e To Payne Canyon In Sec 1, T25s, R22e
Track Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6 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 Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6
Where does the data for Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6 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 Cottonwood-Walnut Site #6.