Cerrillos Dam dam
Cerrillos Dam
Cerrillos Dam, also known as Lago Cerrillos, is a significant water resource structure located in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Managed by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), this rockfill dam was completed in 1992 and stands at a height of 323 feet, with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. It has a storage capacity of 58,750 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 30,835 acre-feet and a surface area of 350 acres.
The dam is situated on the Cerrillos River and serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction, recreation, and water supply for the surrounding area. With a drainage area of 17.5 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 75,280 cubic feet per second, Cerrillos Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2021 deemed it satisfactory, with regular inspections and enforcement ensuring its safety and functionality.
As a key infrastructure project designed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, Cerrillos Dam is a testament to effective water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in Puerto Rico. With its strategic location, impressive height, and significant storage capacity, the dam continues to play a vital role in safeguarding communities, supporting recreational activities, and ensuring a reliable water supply for the region. Its history, design, and operational features make it a captivating subject for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable infrastructure development.
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 Cerrillos Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Cerrillos Nr Ponce | 5 cfs | → |
| Rio Inabon At Real Abajo | 15 cfs | → |
| Rio Cerrillos Abv Lago Cerrillos Nr Ponce | 16 cfs | → |
| Rio Portugues Nr Tibes | 5 cfs | → |
| Rio Toa Vaca Abv Lago Toa Vaca | 7 cfs | → |
| Rio Saliente At Coabey Nr Jayuya | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cerrillos Dam.
Campgrounds
Track Cerrillos 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 Cerrillos Dam
Where does the data for Cerrillos 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 Cerrillos Dam.