Caballo Soil & Water Conservation District
News & Updates
The place where you can find statements to the public and important District updates.
Caballo SWCD Statement Regarding McCLead Dam and Rincon Valley Flooding
The Caballo Soil and Water Conservation District and McCLead Watershed District Boards want to clarify what occurred at McCLead Dam McLead (pronounced “muh-CLEED”) and recognize the broader impacts of the September 29, 2026 storms.
Heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of Hurricane Polo caused widespread flooding across the Rincon Valley. The Rincon Arroyo left its banks, causing significant flooding of farmland and homes in Rincon.
McCLead Dam did not breach. The large amount of stormwater runoff entering the dam caused the water to rise high enough to flow over the top of the dam, which is known as overtopping.
Overtopping is a serious situation for an earthen dam because it can potentially lead to failure of the structure. Fortunately, the material McCLead Dam was built from largely withstood the overtopping. Seepage was discovered and resolved, and the downstream channel of the auxiliary spillway also overflowed its banks.
Because of these conditions, emergency managers were notified and downstream residents were evacuated. However, the dam itself did not fail. Some media reports inaccurately described what occurred, which makes this distinction important.
McCLead Dam is owned and maintained by the McCLead Watershed District, a subdistrict of Caballo SWCD organized under New Mexico's Watershed District Act, with support from Caballo SWCD and others. The Watershed District is funded solely by local landowners within the Watershed District through property tax assessments within its boundaries.
Caballo SWCD and its partners maintain 20 flood-control dams along the Rincon Valley. The other dams operated normally during the storms, and together these structures provided significant protection to communities and landowners.
During the events of September 29, District representatives and engineers assessed McCLead Dam onsite and coordinated with the Doña Ana County Office of Emergency Management, the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer's Dam Safety Bureau, the Doña Ana County Flood Commission, EBID, private landowners, and contractors.
The response included monitoring the situation, evacuating downstream residents, and installing pumps to lower the reservoir.
The Districts appreciate the assistance received and recognize the losses, concern, and disruption experienced by residents and landowners throughout the Valley. Public safety and protection of property remain our foremost priorities.
McCLead Dam will undergo a complete condition assessment to help determine its future. Assessments by multiple entities and planning are underway and will help identify the appropriate next steps.
This flooding highlights the significant need for investment in flood-control infrastructure throughout the Rincon Valley. Caballo SWCD and the McCLead Watershed District remain committed to maintaining these structures and working with their partners to secure resources that protect communities, agricultural lands, and livelihoods.