Intrepid Potash Ponds 1-5 Dam dam
Intrepid Potash Ponds 1-5 Dam
Intrepid Potash Ponds 1-5 Dam, located in rural Eddy, New Mexico, is a private earth dam primarily used for tailings storage along the Pecos River. With a height of 12 feet and a storage capacity of 313 acre-feet, this dam poses a significant hazard potential and has been assessed to be in poor condition as of February 2019. Despite its design as an uncontrolled spillway type, the dam has a surface area of 26.1 acres and is regulated by the Office of the State Engineer in New Mexico.
The dam, part of the Intrepid Potash mining operation, has a history of state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. However, the last inspection in February 2019 revealed poor conditions, indicating a need for maintenance and potential upgrades to ensure the safety and stability of the structure. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, and emergency action plans may need to be developed or revised to meet guidelines for effective response in case of a breach or other emergency situation.
In the context of water resource and climate management, the Intrepid Potash Ponds 1-5 Dam represents a critical infrastructure for tailings storage and water management in the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure resilience, it is essential for private owners, regulators, and stakeholders to collaborate on monitoring, maintaining, and improving the safety and functionality of dams like this one to mitigate risks and ensure sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Intrepid Potash Ponds 1-5 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pecos River Near Malaga | 69 cfs | → |
| Pecos River At Pierce Canyon Crossing | 38 cfs | → |
| Pecos River Below Dark Canyon At Carlsbad | 8 cfs | → |
| Dark Canyon At Carlsbad | · | → |
| Carlsbad Main Canal At Head Near Carlsbad | 154 cfs | → |
| Pecos River Below Avalon Dam | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Intrepid Potash Ponds 1-5 Dam.
Campgrounds
- Hackberry Lake Ohv Dispersed
- Hackberry Lake Trailhead & Campsite
- Alkali Lake Ohv Dispersed
- Windmill Rv Park
- Avalon Resevoir Campground
Track Intrepid Potash Ponds 1-5 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 Intrepid Potash Ponds 1-5 Dam
Where does the data for Intrepid Potash Ponds 1-5 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 Intrepid Potash Ponds 1-5 Dam.