Embudo Dam
Embudo Dam is an earth dam located in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, built in 1979. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Embudo Dam
The primary purpose of Embudo 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 City Of Albuquerque (local government). It impounds the Embudo Canyon near Albuquerque.
The dam stands 63 feet tall and stretches 1,010 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 16 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 340 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1979, the structure is 47 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 08/31/2020.
At 63 feet, this dam is taller than 96% 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 | Bernalillo |
| Nearest City | Albuquerque |
| River/Stream | Embudo Canyon |
| Coordinates | 35.09830, -106.47330 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 63 ft |
| Dam Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,010 ft |
| Year Completed | 1979 (47 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 340 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 340 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 16 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 16,840 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 08/31/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NM00416 |
| Federal ID | NM00416 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |