Continental
Key Takeaway
Continental is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1927 and is 99 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 | 92 ft (taller than 95.6% in CO) |
| Dam Length | 310 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 30.7K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 22.8K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 735 acres |
| Drainage Area | 50 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,844 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1927 (99 years old) |
| NID ID | CO00767 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
SANTA MARIA RESERVOIR CO. (HOLLAND, KEITH)
Private
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What is the hazard classification of Continental?
Continental 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 Continental?
Continental is owned by SANTA MARIA RESERVOIR CO. (HOLLAND, KEITH) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Continental built?
Continental was completed in 1927, making it 99 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 Continental?
Continental serves the following purposes: Irrigation, 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 Continental?
Continental has a dam height of 92 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 Continental last inspected?
Continental was last inspected on August 17, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.