Portugues Dam dam
Portugues Dam
Portugues Dam, located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, is a concrete structure designed by the Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District to primarily reduce flood risks along the Portugues River. Completed in 2015, this impressive dam stands at 220 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 216 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 46,000 acre-feet. The dam's spillway, with a width of 140 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for a maximum discharge of 46,000 cubic feet per second in case of emergencies.
Despite its high hazard potential, Portugues Dam is in a satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in June 2021. The dam is regulated by PREPA and undergoes regular inspections every five years to ensure its safety and functionality. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, risk management measures are in place to mitigate any potential threats. Additionally, the dam also serves recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 71 acres for outdoor activities.
Overall, Portugues Dam is a crucial infrastructure in Puerto Rico's water resource management, providing flood protection and recreational opportunities to the local community. Its strategic location and impressive specifications make it a key asset in safeguarding the surrounding areas from potential water-related disasters while also offering a space for leisure and enjoyment. The dam's design and construction reflect a commitment to sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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 Portugues Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Portugues Nr Tibes | 5 cfs | → |
| Rio Cerrillos Nr Ponce | 5 cfs | → |
| Rio Cerrillos Abv Lago Cerrillos Nr Ponce | 16 cfs | → |
| Rio Inabon At Real Abajo | 15 cfs | → |
| Rio Guayanilla Near Guayanilla | 16 cfs | → |
| Rio Saliente At Coabey Nr Jayuya | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Portugues Dam.
Campgrounds
Track Portugues 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 Portugues Dam
Where does the data for Portugues 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 Portugues Dam.