Montoya Detention Dam dam
Montoya Detention Dam
Montoya Detention Dam in El Paso, Texas, stands as a critical structure designed by Dorado Engineering to mitigate flood risks in the region. Completed in 2007, this Earth-type dam spans 550 feet in length and reaches a height of 35 feet, providing essential flood risk reduction along the off-channel of the Rio Grande. With a storage capacity of 123 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1217 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from flooding events.
Owned and regulated by the local government, Montoya Detention Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. With a fair condition assessment as of February 2016, the dam maintains a moderate risk level (3) and is equipped with uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates to manage water flow during high precipitation events. While hazard potential information is not available, the dam's risk management measures are continuously evaluated to uphold its flood risk reduction purpose and protect the community of El Paso.
With Veronica Escobar (D) serving as the representative for the Albuquerque District, Montoya Detention Dam remains a vital component of the region's water resource infrastructure. As an essential structure along the Rio Grande, the dam's presence highlights the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. By fulfilling its flood risk reduction purpose and adhering to regulatory standards set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Montoya Detention Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts to safeguard water resources and mitigate the impacts of climate variability in the El Paso area.
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 Montoya Detention Dam.
Track Montoya Detention 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 Montoya Detention Dam
Where does the data for Montoya Detention 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 Not Available 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 Montoya Detention Dam.