Bluewater Dam dam
Bluewater Dam
Bluewater Dam, located in Cibola, New Mexico, is a vital water resource structure managed by the local government. Completed in 1927, this arch dam stands at a height of 75 feet and has a structural height of 99 feet, with a length of 655 feet. It serves primarily for irrigation purposes, but also offers opportunities for recreation. The dam has a storage capacity of 44,150 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 38,510 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 1,730 acres.
Bluewater Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed to be in fair condition as of November 2020. It is regulated by the Office of the State Engineer in New Mexico, with regular inspections and enforcement measures in place to ensure its safety and integrity. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a spillway width of 195 feet. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam has not undergone any recent modifications and has no associated locks.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bluewater Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate infrastructure that supports agriculture and recreation in the region. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, this dam serves as a critical component of water management in New Mexico, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in harnessing and preserving this essential resource.
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 Bluewater Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Nutria Near Ramah | 0 cfs | → |
| Rio San Jose Near Grants | 2 cfs | → |
| Zuni River Abv Black Rock Reservoir | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bluewater Dam.
⛺ Campgrounds
- Bluewater Lake State Park
- Ojo Redondo Campground
- Ojo Redondo
- Grants Koa
- Lavaland Rv Park
- El Morro National Monument
Track Bluewater 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 Bluewater Dam
Where does the data for Bluewater 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 Bluewater Dam.