Cottonwood-walnut Site #6

About Cottonwood-walnut Site #6

The primary purpose of Cottonwood-walnut Site #6 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 Cottonwood-walnut Creek Watershed District (local government). It impounds the Cottonwood Creek near Cottonwood.

The dam stands 61 feet tall and stretches 8,607 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 13,402 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 49 square miles. Completed in 1986, the structure is 40 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 02/27/2019. That was 7 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.

At 61 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.