Houts

TR. OF BIG THOMPSON R.· Larimer, Colorado· Built 1902· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Houts is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1902 and is 124 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.4% in CO)
Dam Length744 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage200 acre-ft
Normal Storage200 acre-ft
Surface Area70 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1902 (124 years old)
NID IDCO02258

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: June 12, 1991
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

GREELEY-LOVELAND IRRIGATION COMPANY (DAN KAMMERZEL

Private

Nearby Dams

Equalizer

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High Hazard 20 ft

Boyd Lake

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High Hazard 40 ft

Horseshoe Lake (South Dam)

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Significant Hazard 24 ft

Horseshoe Lake (East Dam)

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Significant Hazard 35 ft

Westerdoll Lake

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Low Hazard 11 ft

Donath Lake

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Significant Hazard 26 ft

Dyekman

Larimer, CO

Low Hazard 10 ft

Fossil Creek

Larimer, CO

High Hazard 42 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Houts?

Houts 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 Houts?

Houts is owned by GREELEY-LOVELAND IRRIGATION COMPANY (DAN KAMMERZEL (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Houts built?

Houts was completed in 1902, making it 124 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 Houts?

Houts serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Houts?

Houts has a dam height of 7 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 Houts last inspected?

Houts was last inspected on June 12, 1991. 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.