Denny Lake

MCELMO CREEK-TR· Montezuma, Colorado· Built 1909· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Denny Lake is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1909 and is 117 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 1.3% in CO)
Dam Length675 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage168 acre-ft
Normal Storage34 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge89 cfs
Year Completed1909 (117 years old)
Year Modified2000
NID IDCO02162

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 27, 1979
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

CITY OF CORTEZ (TORRES, KEN)

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Denny Lake?

Denny Lake 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 Denny Lake?

Denny Lake is owned by CITY OF CORTEZ (TORRES, KEN) (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Denny Lake built?

Denny Lake was completed in 1909, making it 117 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 Denny Lake?

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

How tall is Denny Lake?

Denny Lake has a dam height of 8 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 Denny Lake last inspected?

Denny Lake was last inspected on June 27, 1979. 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.