Ute Dam
History
The earthen dam was completed in 1963 by the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, without federal funding, and with a height of 132 feet (40 m) and a length of 6,530 feet (1,990 m) at its crest. It impounds the Canadian River for municipal water use. The dam is owned and operated by the Commission, which is authorized under state law to implement projects and negotiate with neighboring states on water issues. Ute Reservoir is the only large state-owned and operated reservoir in New Mexico.
Structurally the Ute Dam has the largest labyrinth weir spillway in the United States. It was a 1984 addition to the original structure, designed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, which raised the height of the lake by 27 feet (8.2 m).
In 2023, the FW1 Ute Reservoir pipeline project started construction to provide potable water by 2030 for Cannon Air Force Base and the communities of Clovis, Portales, Elida, Texico.
References
- ^ "Ute Dam". findlakes.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-23.
- ^ "Ute Dam". findlakes.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-23.
- ^ "Office of the State Engineer :: Interstate Stream Commission". www.ose.state.nm.us. Archived from the original on 2005-11-09.
- ^ "New Mexico Office of the State Engineer". www.ose.state.nm.us. Archived from the original on 2002-04-26.
- ^ "Geologic Tour: Ute Lake State Park".
- ^ "Eastern New Mexico celebrates groundbreaking of FW1 Ute Reservoir pipeline project". KVII TV 7. August 22, 2023. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024.