Apache Brazito Mesquite Dam No. 4 dam
Apache Brazito Mesquite Dam No. 4
Apache Brazito Mesquite Dam No. 4, also known as Bishops Cap Dam, is a local government-owned structure located in Mesquite, New Mexico. Constructed in 1964 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and has a structural height of 40 feet, with a length of 2445 feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a storage capacity of 603 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 12,270 cfs.
Despite its critical role in flood management, the dam's condition assessment was rated as poor during its last inspection in December 2019, with a high hazard potential. The dam is regulated by the Office of the State Engineer and undergoes state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, there is a need for proper risk management measures to ensure the safety and functionality of Apache Brazito Mesquite Dam No. 4 for the surrounding community and water resources.
Located on Bishops Cap Arroyo, this dam plays a vital role in mitigating flood risks in the Doña Ana County area. With its stone core and soil foundation, the dam requires ongoing maintenance and monitoring to address its poor condition assessment. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to stay informed about the state of infrastructure like Apache Brazito Mesquite Dam No. 4 to support sustainable water management practices and ensure the safety of communities in the region.
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.
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Apache Brazito Mesquite Dam No. 4.
Track Apache Brazito Mesquite Dam No. 4 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 Apache Brazito Mesquite Dam No. 4
Where does the data for Apache Brazito Mesquite Dam No. 4 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 Apache Brazito Mesquite Dam No. 4.