Giffin #1 (Lower)

LONE TREE CREEK· Weld, Colorado· Built 1948· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Giffin #1 (Lower) is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 26.3% in CO)
Dam Length575 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage109 acre-ft
Normal Storage49 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area57 sq mi
Max Discharge8,060 cfs
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDCO01102

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: April 14, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

GMS LAND AND CATTLE (GERTSCH, MJ)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Giffin #1 (Lower)?

Giffin #1 (Lower) 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 Giffin #1 (Lower)?

Giffin #1 (Lower) is owned by GMS LAND AND CATTLE (GERTSCH, MJ) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Giffin #1 (Lower) built?

Giffin #1 (Lower) was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 Giffin #1 (Lower)?

Giffin #1 (Lower) serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Giffin #1 (Lower)?

Giffin #1 (Lower) has a dam height of 17 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 Giffin #1 (Lower) last inspected?

Giffin #1 (Lower) was last inspected on April 14, 2016. 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.