Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1

LITTLE THOMPSON-TR· Weld, Colorado· Built 1964· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1 is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 29.2% in CO)
Dam Length401 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage55 acre-ft
Normal Storage10 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,175 cfs
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDCO02362

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 28, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

FRONT RANGE INVESTMENT HOLDING

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1?

Charles Wilson Detention Dam #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 Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1?

Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1 is owned by FRONT RANGE INVESTMENT HOLDING (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1 built?

Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1 was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1?

Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1?

Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1 has a dam height of 18 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 Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1 last inspected?

Charles Wilson Detention Dam #1 was last inspected on May 28, 2021. 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.