Jensen

COTTONWOOD CREEK-OS· Mesa, Colorado· Built 1913· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Jensen is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1913 and is 113 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.4% in CO)
Dam Length126 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage110 acre-ft
Normal Storage90 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge34 cfs
Year Completed1913 (113 years old)
NID IDCO01962

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: August 4, 1993
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

ELEANOR NICHOLS

Private

Nearby Dams

Lost Lake

Mesa, CO

Low Hazard 12 ft

Bull Creek #1

Mesa, CO

Low Hazard 13 ft

Cottonwood #2

Mesa, CO

Significant Hazard 17 ft

Bull Creek #2

Mesa, CO

Low Hazard 11 ft

Bull Basin #1

Mesa, CO

Low Hazard 20 ft

Scales #3 (Upper)

Mesa, CO

Low Hazard 7 ft

Island Lake

Delta, CO

Significant Hazard 18 ft

Bull Basin #2

Mesa, CO

Significant Hazard 20 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Jensen?

Jensen 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 Jensen?

Jensen is owned by ELEANOR NICHOLS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Jensen built?

Jensen was completed in 1913, making it 113 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 Jensen?

Jensen 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 Jensen?

Jensen 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 Jensen last inspected?

Jensen was last inspected on August 4, 1993. 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.