Questa Tailings Dam 1 dam
Questa Tailings Dam 1
Questa Tailings Dam 1, located in Taos, New Mexico, is a private-owned structure with a primary purpose of managing tailings. Completed in 1980, this earth dam stands at a height of 280 feet and has a length of 17,100 feet. With a storage capacity of 29,555 acre-feet, it serves as a critical part of the Red River watershed, specifically in the Red River-OS stream.
This dam, regulated by the Office of the State Engineer in New Mexico, has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition as per the latest assessment in September 2020. Despite the moderate risk level, the dam has been inspected biennially to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While the spillway type is uncontrolled and the dam lacks outlet gates, it remains a key component in managing water resources in the region.
As an enthusiast of water resources and climate, the Questa Tailings Dam 1 presents an intriguing case study in dam management and risk assessment. Its location in a picturesque setting and its vital role in water storage make it a focal point for understanding the intersection of human infrastructure with natural ecosystems and the importance of maintaining and monitoring such structures for long-term sustainability.
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 Questa Tailings Dam 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red River Below Fish Hatchery | 32 cfs | → |
| Red River Near Questa | 23 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande Near Cerro | 99 cfs | → |
| Rio Hondo Near Valdez | 17 cfs | → |
| Rio Lucero Near Arroyo Seco | 8 cfs | → |
| Rio Pueblo De Taos Near Taos | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Questa Tailings Dam 1.
Boat launches
- John Dunn Bridge Boat Takeout
- John Dunn Bridge Boat Launch
- Rio Grande Boat Takeout
- Marina Way Eagle Nest
- Taos Junction Bridge Taos County
- Taos Junction Bridge Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- El Aguaje Campground Shelter
- El Aguaje Campground
- Red River Camp Site Shelter
- El Aguaje
- Big Arsenic Springs - Wild Rivers Rec Area
- El Aguaje - Wild Rivers Rec Area
Fishing spots
- Rio Grande Fishing
- Columbine Creek Fishing
- Red River Fishing
- Rio Fernando Fishing
- Shuree Lakes Fishing
- Rio Chiquito Fishing
Track Questa Tailings Dam 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 Questa Tailings Dam 1
Where does the data for Questa Tailings Dam 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 Questa Tailings Dam 1.