Las Ventanas Detention Dam
Las Ventanas Detention Dam is an earth dam located in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, built in 1999. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Las Ventanas Detention Dam
The primary purpose of Las Ventanas 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 Albuquerque Metro Arroyo Flood Control Authority (local government). It impounds the North Piedras Marcadas near Albuquerque.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 5,925 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 57 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 323 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1999, the structure is 27 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/14/2021.
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 | North Piedras Marcadas |
| Coordinates | 35.19582, -106.72039 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 5,925 ft |
| Year Completed | 1999 (27 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 323 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 323 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 57 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 17,590 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | ALBUQUERQUE METRO ARROYO FLOOD CONTROL AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 01/14/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NM00591 |
| Federal ID | NM00591 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |