ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- The road across the top of El Vado Dam in northern New Mexico will be closed this summer as part of the Bureau of Reclamation's ongoing dam rehabilitation efforts.

New Mexico State Road (NM) 112 at El Vado Dam near Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico will be closed for 14 weeks beginning May 27 through Sept. 4 as safety investigations are conducted into the dam's foundation.

Road closure signage will be posted at the junctions of NM-96 with NM-112, US-84 with NM-96, County Road 531 with US 84, NM-95 with US-84 and on NM-112 north of the dam, to alert travelers of closure schedules of NM Highway 112 over El Vado Dam. Visitors to the area can expect large drilling equipment and support trucks on and around the dam. Reclamation is working with local residents to minimize impacts of this road closure to the extent possible. The road closure shouldn't significantly impact access to the reservoir for recreation.

Under Reclamation's Safety of Dams Program, alternative solutions are being developed and evaluated to reduce seepage through El Vado dam. The first phase of field explorations to sample and test the foundation rock along the left abutment and upstream of the dam have been completed. This road closure will support additional drilling and sampling along the crest road and through the dam embankment and rock foundation. Data collected will be used to inform the next phase of design, where repair alternatives will be evaluated.

A first fill test was successfully completed May 30, 2025, and determined that the reservoir may now be operated normally with a maximum elevation of 6,820.5 feet. This level will be maintained provided river flows allow for continued storage, and Reclamation will continue to monitor the seepage through El Vado Dam.

The drilling site will be monitored by security personnel and all theft, vandalism or damage to equipment or materials will be investigated and prosecuted.

Specific questions related to the project schedule, road closures, or access to your property, can be directed to Cory Ulibarri, Chama Field Division Facility Manager at (575) 756-2175 or Carlos Aragon, El Vado Safety of Dams Project Manager at (505) 420-1798 or [email protected].

For more information about the ongoing work at El Vado Dam, visit El Vado Dam and Reservoir | Water Operations | UC Region | Bureau of Reclamation.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits.