Granite Dam

ELBERT CREEK· La Plata, Colorado· Built 1983· Gravity· 27 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Granite Dam is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1983 and is 43 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 27 ft (taller than 59.3% in CO)
Dam Length70 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage22 acre-ft
Normal Storage9 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area13 sq mi
Max Discharge205 cfs
Year Completed1983 (43 years old)
NID IDCO02536

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 6, 2010
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

SPENCER BEAL (DENNIS SIPE)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Granite Dam?

Granite Dam 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 Granite Dam?

Granite Dam is owned by SPENCER BEAL (DENNIS SIPE) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Granite Dam built?

Granite Dam was completed in 1983, making it 43 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 Granite Dam?

Granite Dam 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 Granite Dam?

Granite Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Granite Dam last inspected?

Granite Dam was last inspected on August 6, 2010. 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.