D.D. & E. Wise

MILK CREEK-TR· Rio Blanco, Colorado· Built 1946· Earth· 41 ft tall

Key Takeaway

D.D. & E. Wise is classified as significant hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1946 and is 80 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 41 ft (taller than 82.7% in CO)
Dam Length340 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.0K acre-ft
Surface Area59 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge495 cfs
Year Completed1946 (80 years old)
NID IDCO00971

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 1, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

YELLOW JACKET RANCH, LTD (JOINT OWNER) (DAVIDSON,

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of D.D. & E. Wise?

D.D. & E. Wise is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates D.D. & E. Wise?

D.D. & E. Wise is owned by YELLOW JACKET RANCH, LTD (JOINT OWNER) (DAVIDSON, (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was D.D. & E. Wise built?

D.D. & E. Wise was completed in 1946, making it 80 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 D.D. & E. Wise?

D.D. & E. Wise serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is D.D. & E. Wise?

D.D. & E. Wise has a dam height of 41 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 D.D. & E. Wise last inspected?

D.D. & E. Wise was last inspected on September 1, 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.