Dawson

E FORK BIG CREEK-TR· Mesa, Colorado· Built 1911· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Dawson is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1911 and is 115 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 29.2% in CO)
Dam Length1,219 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage290 acre-ft
Normal Storage219 acre-ft
Surface Area29 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge520 cfs
Year Completed1911 (115 years old)
NID IDCO00890

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: Yes
Last Inspection: August 7, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

MARTIN AZCARRAGA

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dawson?

Dawson 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 Dawson?

Dawson is owned by MARTIN AZCARRAGA (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dawson built?

Dawson was completed in 1911, making it 115 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 Dawson?

Dawson serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Dawson?

Dawson 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 Dawson last inspected?

Dawson was last inspected on August 7, 2018. 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.