Upper Shuree Pond Dam

About Upper Shuree Pond Dam

The primary purpose of Upper Shuree Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Usda Fs (federal). It impounds the Shuree Creek near Shuree Lodge.

The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 750 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 54 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1971, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/15/2011. That was 14 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.

At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.

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.

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