North Star Raw Water Storage Dam dam
North Star Raw Water Storage Dam
Located in Aztec, New Mexico, the North Star Raw Water Storage Dam is a private-owned structure designed by Cheney-Walters_Echols, Inc. The dam, completed in 2003, serves as a crucial water supply source, with a storage capacity of 64.59 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 55.89 acre-feet. Situated on the Animas River, this earth-type dam stands at 20 feet in height and extends for 1865 feet, covering a surface area of 4.23 acres. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is currently in satisfactory condition, as reported during its last inspection in May 2017.
Regulated by the Office of the State Engineer and falling under state jurisdiction, the North Star Raw Water Storage Dam plays a vital role in water resource management in San Juan County, New Mexico. With its rockfill core and soil foundation, the dam has been inspected regularly and meets state permitting and enforcement requirements. Although it lacks a spillway, the dam features slide (sluice gate) outlet gates to regulate water flow. The risk assessment for the dam indicates a high level of risk, emphasizing the importance of thorough monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and safety.
In the realm of water resource and climate conservation, the North Star Raw Water Storage Dam stands as a key infrastructure supporting water supply in the region. Owned and operated by a private entity, this dam exemplifies the collaboration between public and private sectors in managing water resources effectively. With its strategic location on the Animas River and its critical storage capacity, the dam serves as a lifeline for the surrounding community. As efforts to address climate change and water scarcity intensify, the significance of structures like the North Star Dam in ensuring water security and resilience 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 North Star Raw Water Storage Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Animas River Below Aztec | 773 cfs | → |
| Animas River Near Cedar Hill | 868 cfs | → |
| Florida River At Bondad | -888 cfs | → |
| San Juan River Near Archuleta | 471 cfs | → |
| La Plata River At La Plata | 4 cfs | → |
| La Plata River At Colorado-New Mexico State Line | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Star Raw Water Storage Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Cox Canyon Arch Primitive Campsite
- Cottonwood - Navajo Lake State Park
- Simon Canyon Dispersed
- Pine River - Navajo Lake State Park
- Sims Mesa - Navajo Lake State Park
- Dunes Ohv Vehicle Ra
Fishing spots
Track North Star Raw Water Storage 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 North Star Raw Water Storage Dam
Where does the data for North Star Raw Water Storage 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 Significant 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 North Star Raw Water Storage Dam.