Blanco Reservoir Dam dam
Blanco Reservoir Dam
Blanco Reservoir Dam, also known as El Paso Natural Gas Dam No. 2, is a privately owned structure located in San Juan, New Mexico. Completed in 1957, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 43 feet and has a length of 380 feet, providing a storage capacity of 198 acre-feet of water. The dam, situated on the San Juan River, serves a variety of purposes and is regulated by the Office of the State Engineer, with regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality.
With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of December 2019, Blanco Reservoir Dam poses a moderate risk (3) that is managed through appropriate risk management measures. This uncontrolled spillway type dam features slide gates for outlet control and has a spillway width of 8 feet. The dam's emergency action plan status and inundation maps are currently under review, ensuring that adequate measures are in place for the safety of the surrounding area in case of emergencies.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Blanco Reservoir Dam as a vital structure in the management of water resources in the region, offering storage and flood control benefits. Its historical significance, efficient design by W. Carlos Powell, and ongoing regulatory oversight by the state of New Mexico make it a noteworthy example of infrastructure that plays a crucial role in maintaining water security and resilience 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 Blanco Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Animas River Below Aztec | 773 cfs | → |
| San Juan River Near Archuleta | 471 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Farmington | 775 cfs | → |
| San Juan River At Farmington | 950 cfs | → |
| La Plata River Near Farmington | 0 cfs | → |
| La Plata River At La Plata | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blanco Reservoir Dam.
Campgrounds
- Angel Peak
- Angel Peak Scenic Area
- Cottonwood - Navajo Lake State Park
- Simon Canyon Dispersed
- Dunes Ohv Vehicle Ra
- Pine River - Navajo Lake State Park
Fishing spots
Track Blanco Reservoir 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 Blanco Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Blanco Reservoir 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 Blanco Reservoir Dam.