Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1 dam
Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1
Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1, also known as Underwood Dam, is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Sierra, New Mexico. Constructed in 1959 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 36 feet and spans 800 feet along the Underwood Arroyo. With a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood hazards in the region.
Despite its importance, Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1 is currently rated as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, based on a 2015 inspection report. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 100 feet, and its outlet gates are also uncontrolled. The structure is under the jurisdiction of the Office of the State Engineer in New Mexico, and it undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure its integrity and safety.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor the ongoing maintenance and risk management measures for Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1. With its moderate risk assessment rating and the potential for significant impact on the surrounding area in the event of a breach, it is crucial for local government authorities to prioritize the dam's upkeep and any necessary upgrades to enhance its 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 Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Below Elephant Butte Dam | 2,080 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Narrows In Elephant Butte Res. | 33 cfs | → |
| Mimbres River At Mimbres | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1.
Boat launches
- Sierra County
- Dam Site Marina
- Marina Del Sur
- Rock Canyon Road Sierra County
- Monticello Road Sierra County
Campgrounds
- Percha Dam State Park
- Caballo Lake State Park
- Hillsboro City Rv Park
- Elephant Butte Lake State Park
- Kingston
- Kingston Campground
Paddle runs
- Aldo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
- Junction Of Water Canyon And Holden Prong To Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Las Animas Creek
- Headwaters To Junction Of Trails 707/68 (Sec 35, T12s, R11w)
- Headwaters To Confluence With Diamond Creek
- Headwaters To Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary
Track Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1 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 Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1
Where does the data for Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1 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 Caballo Arroyo Dam No. 1.