Eagle Nest Dam, Arch dam in Colfax County, New Mexico.
Eagle Nest Dam is an arch dam spanning the Cimarron River in Colfax County with a width of about 400 feet (122 m) and height of about 140 feet (43 m). The structure creates Eagle Nest Lake, which sits behind the dam and serves the surrounding area.
The dam was built between 1916 and 1918 by Taos Pueblo workers and resulted from an initiative by Frank and Charles Springer through their land company. The project emerged to store water for irrigation and marked an important phase in the region's water development.
The dam plays a central role in local water management and remains connected to the region's agricultural development. Visitors can observe how this structure shaped settlement patterns and economic activity throughout the valley.
The structure creates a lake that supplies irrigation water through canals to farms and ranches located downstream. The best time to visit is during summer when water levels are adequate and weather conditions are pleasant.
The dam was for many years the largest privately initiated project of its kind in the United States and set new standards in water engineering. The water distribution system relies on innovative legal procedures governing usage rights among different users.
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