Clear Creek

CLEAR CREEK· Chaffee, Colorado· Built 1910· Earth· 70 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Clear Creek is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1910 and is 116 years old. Its primary use is water supply. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 70 ft (taller than 92.6% in CO)
Dam Length2,850 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage13.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage11.5K acre-ft
Surface Area425 acres
Drainage Area69 sq mi
Max Discharge42,000 cfs
Year Completed1910 (116 years old)
Year Modified1983
NID IDCO01143

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: June 8, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

BOARD OF WATER WORKS-PUEBLO, COLORADO (WARD, ALAN)

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Clear Creek?

Clear Creek is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Clear Creek?

Clear Creek is owned by BOARD OF WATER WORKS-PUEBLO, COLORADO (WARD, ALAN) (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Clear Creek built?

Clear Creek was completed in 1910, making it 116 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 Clear Creek?

Clear Creek serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Clear Creek?

Clear Creek has a dam height of 70 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 Clear Creek last inspected?

Clear Creek was last inspected on June 8, 2022. 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.