Empire (East Embankment)
Key Takeaway
Empire (East Embankment) is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1905 and is 121 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. 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 | 35 ft (taller than 75.7% in CO) |
| Dam Length | 12,500 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 50.9K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 37.7K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,842 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1905 (121 years old) |
| NID ID | CO02842 |
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
BIJOU IRRIGATION CO. (BROWNELL, JILL)
Private
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Significant Hazard 22 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Empire (East Embankment)?
Empire (East Embankment) 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 Empire (East Embankment)?
Empire (East Embankment) is owned by BIJOU IRRIGATION CO. (BROWNELL, JILL) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Empire (East Embankment) built?
Empire (East Embankment) was completed in 1905, making it 121 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 Empire (East Embankment)?
Empire (East Embankment) serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Irrigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Empire (East Embankment)?
Empire (East Embankment) has a dam height of 35 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 Empire (East Embankment) last inspected?
Empire (East Embankment) was last inspected on July 7, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.