Alameda Dam dam
Alameda Dam
Alameda Dam, located in Doña Ana, New Mexico, is a Federal-owned structure designed by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Alameda Arroyo. The dam, classified as a Gravity type structure with a stone core, stands at a hydraulic height of 26 feet and a structural height of 38 feet, spanning a length of 750 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 650 acre-feet and a surface area of 104 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting surrounding areas from potential flooding.
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Alameda Dam has a low hazard potential but is currently rated as unsatisfactory in condition assessment, prompting regular inspections every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam has not undergone significant modifications since its construction, and its uncontrolled spillway with a width of 4 feet allows for the release of excess water when needed. With Xochitl Torres Small (D) as the Congressional Representative for the area, the dam serves as a vital piece of infrastructure in mitigating flood risks and protecting the community of Sonoma Ranch.
The significance of Alameda Dam extends beyond flood control, as it also plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With a drainage area of 8.34 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 2,586 cubic feet per second, the dam helps regulate water flow and prevent potential downstream flooding. Although its current condition may be deemed unsatisfactory, ongoing inspections and maintenance efforts ensure that the dam continues to fulfill its vital role in safeguarding the surrounding areas from the impacts of extreme weather events and climate variability.
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 Alameda Dam.
Track Alameda 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 Alameda Dam
Where does the data for Alameda 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 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 Alameda Dam.