Starvation Draw Detention Dam #4
Starvation Draw Detention Dam #4 is a gravity dam located in Luna County, New Mexico, built in 1956. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Starvation Draw Detention Dam #4
The primary purpose of Starvation Draw Detention Dam #4 is debris control. The dam is designed to catch sediment, rocks, and debris carried by flowing water — particularly important in areas prone to mudslides or heavy erosion. The dam is owned by Doi Blm (federal). It impounds the Frying Pan Canyon near Deming.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 735 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 14 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 72 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1956, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 06/01/2016.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 84% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Luna |
| Nearest City | Deming |
| River/Stream | Frying Pan Canyon |
| Coordinates | 32.44282, -107.69070 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 735 ft |
| Year Completed | 1956 (70 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 72 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 72 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 14 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,733 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Debris Control |
| Owner | DOI BLM |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 06/01/2016 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NM00093 |
| Federal ID | NM00093 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |