Sebastian Martin Site 2 Dam
Sebastian Martin Site 2 Dam is an earth dam located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, built in 1977. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Sebastian Martin Site 2 Dam
The primary purpose of Sebastian Martin Site 2 Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Upper Rio Grande Watershed District (local government). It impounds the Arroyo Del Guique near Unincorporated Residents.
The dam stands 60 feet tall and stretches 740 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 103 acre-feet. Completed in 1977, the structure is 49 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/14/2017. That was 8 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.
At 60 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The New Mexico dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Rio Arriba |
| Nearest City | Unincorporated Residents |
| River/Stream | Arroyo Del Guique |
| Coordinates | 36.09080, -106.07989 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 60 ft |
| Dam Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Length | 740 ft |
| Year Completed | 1977 (49 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 103 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 103 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 72 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
| Max Discharge | 636 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | UPPER RIO GRANDE WATERSHED DISTRICT |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/14/2017 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NM00439 |
| Federal ID | NM00439 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |