The dam is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, which built it, and is operated by the Elephant Butte Irrigation District.

It consists of a low concrete weir with radial gates, flanked by levees.

The East Side Canal is 13.5 miles (21.7 km) long, and has a capacity of 300 cu ft/s (8.5 m3/s).

The West Side Canal is larger at 23.4 miles (37.7 km) long, and has a capacity of 650 cu ft/s (18 m3/s).

Near its end, the West Side Canal crosses underneath the Rio Grande via the Montoya Siphon.