Spence

About Spence

The primary purpose of Spence is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Alpine Lakes Ranch Ditch Co. (smith, Ron) (private). It impounds the Spence Creek near Dulce, Nm.

The dam stands 58 feet tall and stretches 915 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 32 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 617 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1965, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 09/27/2022.

At 58 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.

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