Hotel Lake Dam

WARD CREEK· Delta, Colorado· Built 1953· Earth· 21 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Hotel Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 21 ft (taller than 40.7% in CO)
Dam Length255 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage299 acre-ft
Normal Storage549 acre-ft
Surface Area35 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge50 cfs
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDCO00572

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: June 24, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

SURFACE CREEK DITCH & RESERVOIR CO. (WAIBEL, KEITH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hotel Lake Dam?

Hotel Lake Dam 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 Hotel Lake Dam?

Hotel Lake Dam is owned by SURFACE CREEK DITCH & RESERVOIR CO. (WAIBEL, KEITH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hotel Lake Dam built?

Hotel Lake Dam was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Hotel Lake Dam?

Hotel Lake Dam 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 Hotel Lake Dam?

Hotel Lake Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Hotel Lake Dam last inspected?

Hotel Lake Dam was last inspected on June 24, 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.