Haviland Lake

ELBERT CREEK-TR· La Plata, Colorado· Built 1927· Earth· 26 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Haviland Lake is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1927 and is 99 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. 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 26 ft (taller than 56.3% in CO)
Dam Length580 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage526 acre-ft
Surface Area61 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge585 cfs
Year Completed1927 (99 years old)
Year Modified1963
NID IDCO01062

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 9, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Haviland Lake?

Haviland Lake 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 Haviland Lake?

Haviland Lake is owned by COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Haviland Lake built?

Haviland Lake was completed in 1927, making it 99 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 Haviland Lake?

Haviland Lake serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Haviland Lake?

Haviland Lake has a dam height of 26 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 Haviland Lake last inspected?

Haviland Lake was last inspected on May 9, 2022. 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.