Cow Creek Dam

COW CREEK· Elko, Nevada· Earth· 26 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Cow Creek Dam is classified as low hazard in Nevada. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 55.7% in NV)
Dam Length116 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage50 acre-ft
Normal Storage10 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge170 cfs
NID IDNV00210

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: June 25, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NEVADA DWR

Ownership

USDI BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Federal Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cow Creek Dam?

Cow Creek Dam 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 Cow Creek Dam?

Cow Creek Dam is owned by USDI BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Cow Creek Dam?

Cow Creek Dam serves the following purposes: 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 Cow Creek Dam?

Cow Creek Dam has a dam height of 26 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 Cow Creek Dam last inspected?

Cow Creek Dam was last inspected on June 25, 2019. 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.