Costilla Dam, New Mexico, USA

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Quick Facts About Costilla Dam

Location: Taos, New Mexico
Coordinates: 36.875094, -105.279625
River: Rio Costilla River
Primary Purpose: Irrigation
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1920
Dam Height: 138 ft (42 m)
Dam Length: 780 ft (238 m)
Dam Capacity: 30,499 acre-ft (37,620 Ml)

Costilla Dam Map

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Costilla Dam Information

Costilla Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 11 miles from Amalia, Taos, New Mexico.

The dam, which is on the Rio Costilla River, was primarily built for Irrigation purposes, but also serves for benefits.

The dam was designed by USBR and commissioned in 1920 and is currently owned by RIO COSTILLA COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION.

Costilla Dam Structure

The Costilla Dam is approximately 780 feet (238 m) long, 138 feet (42 m) high and has a structural volume of 0 cubic yards (0 cubic metres).

Costilla Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 15,830 acre-ft (19,526 Ml) and maximum capacity of 30,499 acre-ft (37,620 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 416 acres (168 ha) and the total catchment area is 55 square miles (142 square kilometres).

Costilla Dam Spillway

The dam has a 35 feet (11 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 20200 cubic feet per second (572 cubic metres per second).

Costilla Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

Costilla Dam
Taos, New Mexico
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft) 138 730 550 357 216
Length (Ft) 780 1,244 5,673 6,920 1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft) 30,499 30,237,000 9,562,000 3,540,000 29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles) 55 167,800 74,100 3,611 108,355

Costilla Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Costilla Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Costilla Dam

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Costilla Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Costilla Dam?

Costilla Dam is in New Mexico.

In which county is the Costilla Dam?

Costilla Dam is in Taos County.

How high is the Costilla Dam?

Costilla Dam is 138 feet high.

How long is the Costilla Dam?

Costilla Dam is 780 feet long.

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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