Sanchez Dam

Sanchez Dam Quick Facts

Location: Costilla, Colorado
Coordinates: 37.113873, -105.410642
River: Ventero Creek River
Primary Purpose: Irrigation
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1911
Dam Height: 130 ft (40 m)
Dam Length: 1,170 ft (357 m)
Dam Capacity: 137,850 acre-ft (170,035 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Unsatisfactory
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Sanchez Dam Map

Sanchez Dam Information

Sanchez Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 7 miles from San Luis, Costilla, Colorado.

The dam, which is on the Ventero Creek River, was primarily built for Irrigation purposes, but also serves for Fish and Wildlife Pond and Recreation benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1911 and is currently owned by SANCHEZ DITCH AND RESERVOIR CO. (CALDON, KEITH).

Sanchez Dam Structure

The Sanchez Dam is approximately 1,170 feet (357 m) long, 130 feet (40 m) high and has a structural volume of cubic yards (0 cubic metres).

Sanchez Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 103,114 acre-ft (127,189 Ml) and maximum capacity of 137,850 acre-ft (170,035 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 3,145 acres (1,273 ha) and the total catchment area is 86 square miles (223 square kilometres).

Sanchez Dam Spillway

The dam has a 120 feet (37 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 8850 cubic feet per second (251 cubic metres per second).

Sanchez Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Sanchez Dam
Costilla, Colorado
Height (ft)
130
Length (Ft)
1,170
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
137,850
Drainage Area (sq miles)
86
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Sanchez Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Sanchez Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Sanchez Dam

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Sanchez Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Sanchez Dam?

Sanchez Dam is in Colorado.

In which county is the Sanchez Dam?

Sanchez Dam is in Costilla County.

How high is the Sanchez Dam?

Sanchez Dam is 130 feet high.

How long is the Sanchez Dam?

Sanchez Dam is 1,170 feet long.

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More Dams in Costilla County:

Eastdale #1 Dam
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Sanchez Dam
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Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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