Dos Bocas Dam is a gravity dam located in Arecibo County, Puerto Rico, built in 1942. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 188 ft188 ft tall, taller than 99% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against the Statue of Liberty, 305 ft ground to torch; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Dos Bocas Dam
The primary purpose of Dos Bocas Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (public utility). It impounds the Arecibo River near Arecibo.
The dam stands 188 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 634 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 50,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 170 square miles. Completed in 1942, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/07/2020.
At 188 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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 Puerto Rico 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 | Puerto Rico |
| County | Arecibo |
| Nearest City | Arecibo |
| River/Stream | Arecibo River |
| Coordinates | 18.33565, -66.66737 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 188 ft |
| Dam Height | 188 ft |
| Year Completed | 1942 (84 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 50,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 50,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 30,420 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 634 acres |
| Drainage Area | 170 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 200,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/07/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PR00009 |
| Federal ID | PR00009 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |