Hermosa Valley

SAN FRANCISCO CREEK-TR· Las Animas, Colorado· Built 1922· Earth· 45 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Hermosa Valley is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1922 and is 104 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 45 ft (taller than 85.3% in CO)
Dam Length810 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.0K acre-ft
Surface Area121 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,289 cfs
Year Completed1922 (104 years old)
NID IDCO00537

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: October 4, 1990
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

ROBERTS BROS. (TOM ROBERTS)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hermosa Valley?

Hermosa Valley 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 Hermosa Valley?

Hermosa Valley is owned by ROBERTS BROS. (TOM ROBERTS) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hermosa Valley built?

Hermosa Valley was completed in 1922, making it 104 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 Hermosa Valley?

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

How tall is Hermosa Valley?

Hermosa Valley has a dam height of 45 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 Hermosa Valley last inspected?

Hermosa Valley was last inspected on October 4, 1990. 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.