Frank B. Watters

LAKE FORK GUNNISON RIVER· Hinsdale, Colorado· Built 1966· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Frank B. Watters is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 43.8% in CO)
Dam Length2,190 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage287 acre-ft
Normal Storage179 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge25 cfs
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)
NID IDCO00258

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: August 18, 2008
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

LAKE FORK RESORT (CHARLIE COLOPY)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Frank B. Watters?

Frank B. Watters 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 Frank B. Watters?

Frank B. Watters is owned by LAKE FORK RESORT (CHARLIE COLOPY) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Frank B. Watters built?

Frank B. Watters was completed in 1966, making it 60 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 Frank B. Watters?

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

How tall is Frank B. Watters?

Frank B. Watters has a dam height of 22 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 Frank B. Watters last inspected?

Frank B. Watters was last inspected on August 18, 2008. 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.