Matrullas Dam dam
Matrullas Dam
Matrullas Dam, located in Ciales, Puerto Rico, is a vital piece of infrastructure owned by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. Constructed in 1934, this earth dam stands at a height of 120 feet and spans 710 feet in length, harnessing the power of the Matrullas River for hydroelectric and irrigation purposes. With a storage capacity of 3,590 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 15,000 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a crucial water resource for the surrounding region.
Despite its significant contributions, Matrullas Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed as having an unsatisfactory condition. The dam is regulated by PREPA and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity. With a drainage area of 4.42 square miles and a surface area of 77 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Its uncontrolled spillway and stone core structure highlight the engineering complexities involved in maintaining this essential infrastructure.
As climate change continues to impact water resources worldwide, the importance of structures like Matrullas Dam cannot be overstated. With a risk assessment rating of moderate, the dam's risk management measures are continuously evaluated to mitigate potential hazards. As a key player in both water supply and renewable energy generation, Matrullas Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Matrullas Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Bauta Nr Orocovis | 22 cfs | → |
| Rio Saliente At Coabey Nr Jayuya | 13 cfs | → |
| Rio Toa Vaca Abv Lago Toa Vaca | 7 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande De Manati Nr Morovis | 116 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande De Manati At Ciales | 139 cfs | → |
| Rio Inabon At Real Abajo | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Matrullas Dam.
Campgrounds
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Track Matrullas 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 Matrullas Dam
Where does the data for Matrullas 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 Matrullas Dam.