Matrullas Dam
Matrullas Dam is an earth dam located in Orocovis County, Puerto Rico, built in 1934. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Matrullas Dam
The primary purpose of Matrullas 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 Matrullas River near Ciales.
The dam stands 120 feet tall and stretches 710 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 77 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,590 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1934, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/15/2022.
At 120 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Orocovis |
| Nearest City | Ciales |
| River/Stream | Matrullas River |
| Coordinates | 18.21050, -66.48021 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 120 ft |
| Dam Height | 120 ft |
| Dam Length | 710 ft |
| Year Completed | 1934 (92 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,590 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,590 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,005 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 77 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 15,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | PUERTO RICO ELECTRIC POWER AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/15/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | PR00015 |
| Federal ID | PR00015 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |