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Heron Dam Quick Facts

Location: Rio Arriba, New Mexico
Coordinates: 36.666, -106.7061
River: Willow Creek River
Primary Purpose: Irrigation
Type: Rockfill Earth
Commissioned: 1970
Dam Height: 269 ft (82 m)
Dam Length: 1,220 ft (372 m)
Dam Capacity: 429,646 acre-ft (529,960 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Heron Dam Map

Heron Dam Information

Heron Dam is a rockfill earth dam located about 13 miles from El Vado, Rio Arriba, New Mexico.

The dam, which is on the Willow Creek River, was primarily built for Irrigation purposes, but also serves for Water Supply benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1970 and is currently owned by US Bureau of Reclamation.

Heron Dam Structure

The Heron Dam is approximately 1,220 feet (372 m) long, 269 feet (82 m) high and has a structural volume of 3,031,121 cubic yards (2,317,459 cubic metres).

Heron Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 401,317 acre-ft (495,016 Ml) and maximum capacity of 429,646 acre-ft (529,960 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 6,148 acres (2,488 ha) and the total catchment area is 193 square miles (500 square kilometres).

Heron Dam Spillway

The dam has a 40 feet (12 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 660 cubic feet per second (19 cubic metres per second).

Heron Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Heron Dam
Rio Arriba, New Mexico
Height (ft)
269
Length (Ft)
1,220
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
429,646
Drainage Area (sq miles)
193
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

Heron Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Heron Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 22:53
Sunrise 07:03
Sunset 16:51
Temperature (°F) 30
Feels Like (°F) 27
Cloud Coverage (%) 11
Pressure (inHg) 1024
Humidity (%) 62
Wind Speed (mph) 4
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Heron Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 28 50 45 1025 36 4 5 NE 0 - overcast clouds
Wed 27 50 46 1022 32 4 4 SSW 0 - few clouds
Thu 27 48 44 1022 40 6 6 WNW 0 - clear sky
Fri 26 49 44 1021 40 3 3 SW 0 - clear sky
Sat 26 48 43 1021 42 7 7 WNW 0 - clear sky
Sun 24 41 33 1013 42 15 18 WNW 0 - clear sky
Mon 18 38 27 1005 49 23 36 SW 100 - snow
Tue 5 26 21 1028 60 10 24 E 0 - overcast clouds

Heron Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Heron Dam?

Heron Dam is in New Mexico.

In which county is the Heron Dam?

Heron Dam is in Rio Arriba County.

How high is the Heron Dam?

Heron Dam is 269 feet high.

How long is the Heron Dam?

Heron Dam is 1,220 feet long.

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More Dams in Rio Arriba County:

Abiquiu Dam
El Vado Dam
Heron Dam

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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