Sebastian Martin Site 6 Dam dam
Sebastian Martin Site 6 Dam
Sebastian Martin Site 6 Dam, also known as Estaca Arroyo Retard Dam, is a crucial structure in Rio Arriba, New Mexico, designed by the USDA NRCS to reduce flood risks along the Estaca Arroyo river. Completed in 1973, this earth dam stands at a height of 93 feet and stretches 550 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 1022 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 45 acres. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1439 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a vital role in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Despite its importance, the dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition with a high hazard potential, prompting a moderate risk assessment rating. The Office of the State Engineer in New Mexico regulates and inspects the dam periodically to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. With a spillway width of 200 feet and uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam poses significant challenges in emergency response and risk management. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the complexities and vulnerabilities of dams like Sebastian Martin Site 6 is essential for promoting sustainable water management practices and enhancing the resilience of our communities in the face of changing environmental 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 Sebastian Martin Site 6 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Chama Near Chamita | 134 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Embudo | 231 cfs | → |
| Embudo Creek At Dixon | 5 cfs | → |
| Santa Cruz River Near Cundiyo | 12 cfs | → |
| Rio Ojo Caliente At La Madera | 9 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Otowi Bridge | 260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sebastian Martin Site 6 Dam.
Boat launches
- Santa Cruz Lake Boat Ramp
- Santa Cruz Lake Road Santa Fe County
- De Norte Bridge Las Cruces New Mexico Access Point
- County Line Boat Takeout
- County Line Boat Launch
- Quartzite Boat Takeout
Campgrounds
- Northlake Campground
- North Lake - Santa Cruz Lake
- Santa Cruz Lake Overlook Campground
- Overlook - Santa Cruz Lake
- Gorham Scout Ranch
- Borrego Mesa
Fishing spots
- Rio Vallecitos Fishing
- Rio Trampas Fishing
- El Rito Creek Fishing
- Trampas Lakes Fishing
- Rio Chama Fishing
- Rito De La Olla Fishing
Paddle runs
Track Sebastian Martin Site 6 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 Sebastian Martin Site 6 Dam
Where does the data for Sebastian Martin Site 6 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 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 Sebastian Martin Site 6 Dam.