Jacobs Ladder

TRIBUTARY TO FIRST FORK PIEDRA· Archuleta, Colorado· Built 1981· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Jacobs Ladder is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1981 and is 45 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 36.1% in CO)
Dam Length78 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage94 acre-ft
Normal Storage58 acre-ft
Max Discharge100 cfs
Year Completed1981 (45 years old)
NID IDCO02906

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: September 16, 2008
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Jacobs Ladder?

Jacobs Ladder 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 Jacobs Ladder?

Jacobs Ladder is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Jacobs Ladder built?

Jacobs Ladder was completed in 1981, making it 45 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 Jacobs Ladder?

Jacobs Ladder 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 Jacobs Ladder?

Jacobs Ladder has a dam height of 20 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 Jacobs Ladder last inspected?

Jacobs Ladder was last inspected on September 16, 2008. 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.