Franz #1

ARKANSAS RIVER-OS· Chaffee, Colorado· Built 1928· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Franz #1 is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1928 and is 98 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 11% in CO)
Dam Length2,140 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage63 acre-ft
Normal Storage31 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge126 cfs
Year Completed1928 (98 years old)
NID IDCO00453

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 10, 1978
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Franz #1?

Franz #1 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 Franz #1?

Franz #1 is owned by COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Franz #1 built?

Franz #1 was completed in 1928, making it 98 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 Franz #1?

Franz #1 serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Franz #1?

Franz #1 has a dam height of 12 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 Franz #1 last inspected?

Franz #1 was last inspected on August 10, 1978. 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.