Banning Lewis #1

EAST FORK SAND CREEK· El Paso, Colorado· Built 1888· Earth· 30 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Banning Lewis #1 is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1888 and is 138 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 65.6% in CO)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage100 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge2,645 cfs
Year Completed1888 (138 years old)
NID IDCO01969

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: May 11, 1998
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

WESTERN SAVINGS & LOAN FA (AL TESTA)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Banning Lewis #1?

Banning Lewis #1 is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Banning Lewis #1?

Banning Lewis #1 is owned by WESTERN SAVINGS & LOAN FA (AL TESTA) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Banning Lewis #1 built?

Banning Lewis #1 was completed in 1888, making it 138 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Banning Lewis #1?

Banning Lewis #1 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Banning Lewis #1?

Banning Lewis #1 has a dam height of 30 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Banning Lewis #1 last inspected?

Banning Lewis #1 was last inspected on May 11, 1998. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.