Map of All 420 New Mexico Dams
New Mexico has 420 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 225 are classified as high hazard (54% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 116 New Mexico dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive New Mexico dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare New Mexico to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
New Mexico Dams by the Numbers
- 420 total dams in New Mexico
- 225 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 53 significant hazard
- 134 low hazard
- 213 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (199 poor, 14 unsatisfactory)
- 116 New Mexico dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in New Mexico
The tallest dam in New Mexico is Navajo Dam at 402 feet, completed in 1963. The 10 tallest New Mexico dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navajo Dam | 402 ft | 1963 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | San Juan |
| Abiquiu Dam | 354 ft | 1963 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Rio Arriba |
| Cobre Main Tailings Dam | 310 ft | 1968 | Tailings | Satisfactory | Grant |
| Elephant Butte Dam | 306 ft | 1916 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Sierra |
| Questa Tailings Dam 1 | 280 ft | 1980 | Tailings | Satisfactory | Taos |
| Heron Dam | 269 ft | 1971 | Irrigation | Not Available | Rio Arriba |
| Cochiti Dam | 251 ft | 1975 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Sandoval |
| Conchas Dam | 235 ft | 1940 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | San Miguel |
| Chino Mines Tailings Dam No. 7 | 230 ft | 1988 | Tailings | Satisfactory | Grant |
| El Vado Dam | 230 ft | 1935 | Irrigation | Not Available | Rio Arriba |
High-Hazard New Mexico Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 116 dams in New Mexico. Notable examples:
- Mcclure Dam (128 ft, Santa Fe County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- T Or C Site 8c Dam (119 ft, Sierra County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Lake Maloya Dam (110 ft, Colfax County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Green Canyon Dam (104 ft, Sierra County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Bear Canyon Dam (99 ft, Grant County) — Irrigation, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in New Mexico
Dam safety in New Mexico is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in New Mexico?
New Mexico has 420 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 225 high hazard, 53 significant hazard, and 134 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in New Mexico?
The tallest dam in New Mexico is Navajo Dam at 402 feet, completed in 1963. It is primarily a flood risk reduction structure.
How many New Mexico dams are in poor condition?
213 New Mexico dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 116 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
