German #12

BIG DRY CREEK· Weld, Colorado· Built 1887· Earth· 11 ft tall

Key Takeaway

German #12 is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1887 and is 139 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 8.7% in CO)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage119 acre-ft
Normal Storage92 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge41 cfs
Year Completed1887 (139 years old)
NID IDCO01119

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

DAVID HOWARD

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of German #12?

German #12 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 German #12?

German #12 is owned by DAVID HOWARD (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was German #12 built?

German #12 was completed in 1887, making it 139 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 German #12?

German #12 serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is German #12?

German #12 has a dam height of 11 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.

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.