Garden of The Gods
Key Takeaway
Garden of The Gods is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 2020 and is 6 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 | 31 ft (taller than 68.6% in CO) |
| Dam Length | 694 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 231 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 170 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 12,293 cfs |
| Year Completed | 2020 (6 years old) |
| Year Modified | 2019 |
| NID ID | CO03047 |
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
CITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS-ENG. DIVISION
Local Government
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High Hazard 96 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Garden of The Gods?
Garden of The Gods 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 Garden of The Gods?
Garden of The Gods is owned by CITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS-ENG. DIVISION (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Garden of The Gods built?
Garden of The Gods was completed in 2020, making it 6 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 Garden of The Gods?
Garden of The Gods serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Garden of The Gods?
Garden of The Gods has a dam height of 31 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 Garden of The Gods last inspected?
Garden of The Gods was last inspected on April 7, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.