Lauson Arroyo Flood Detention Dam
Lauson Arroyo Flood Detention Dam is an earth dam located in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, built in 1996. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Lauson Arroyo Flood Detention Dam
The primary purpose of Lauson Arroyo Flood Detention 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 Dona Ana County Flood Commission (local government). It impounds the Lauson Arroyo near Anthony.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 329 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1996, the structure is 30 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/20/2019. That was 7 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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 | Doña Ana |
| Nearest City | Anthony |
| River/Stream | Lauson Arroyo |
| Coordinates | 32.02858, -106.57747 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1996 (30 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 329 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 329 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 13,536 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | DONA ANA COUNTY FLOOD COMMISSION |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 03/20/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NM00585 |
| Federal ID | NM00585 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |