Furness Arroyo

FURNESS ARROYO· Las Animas, Colorado· Built 1909· Earth· 35 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Furness Arroyo is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1909 and is 117 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 75.7% in CO)
Dam Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage600 acre-ft
Normal Storage485 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge2,340 cfs
Year Completed1909 (117 years old)
NID IDCO02692

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: November 14, 1991
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

MODEL LAND AND IRRIGATION COMPANY (PARADISA, TONY)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Furness Arroyo?

Furness Arroyo 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 Furness Arroyo?

Furness Arroyo is owned by MODEL LAND AND IRRIGATION COMPANY (PARADISA, TONY) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Furness Arroyo built?

Furness Arroyo 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 Furness Arroyo?

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

How tall is Furness Arroyo?

Furness Arroyo 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 Furness Arroyo last inspected?

Furness Arroyo was last inspected on November 14, 1991. 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.