Starvation Draw Detention Dam #3 dam
Starvation Draw Detention Dam #3
Starvation Draw Detention Dam #3, located in Luna, New Mexico, is a gravity dam designed for debris control on the Starvation Draw -TR stream. Built in 1958 by the Bureau of Land Management, this dam stands at a structural height of 13 feet with a hydraulic height of 6 feet and a length of 1106 feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is rated as having a poor condition assessment, requiring attention to ensure its continued effectiveness.
The dam has a storage capacity of 79.9 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 4.5 square miles. Its uncontrolled spillway is 2 feet wide, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1400 cubic feet per second. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks outlet gates, it is crucial for managing debris flow and protecting downstream areas from potential flooding. While the dam's risk assessment is moderate, ongoing maintenance and monitoring are essential to mitigate any potential risks and ensure the dam's functionality in the event of an emergency.
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Starvation Draw Detention Dam #3 plays a vital role in the region's water resource management efforts. With its historical significance dating back over six decades, this dam remains a key asset for debris control and flood protection in the area, highlighting the importance of continued investment in infrastructure to safeguard against potential climate-related 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 Starvation Draw Detention Dam #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mimbres River At Mimbres | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Starvation Draw Detention Dam #3.
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With Las Animas Creek
- Aldo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Junction Of Water Canyon And Holden Prong To Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters To Junction Of Trails 707/68 (Sec 35, T12s, R11w)
- Headwaters To Confluence With Diamond Creek
Track Starvation Draw Detention Dam #3 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 Starvation Draw Detention Dam #3
Where does the data for Starvation Draw Detention Dam #3 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 Low 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 Starvation Draw Detention Dam #3.