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