Kem Lake

ELBERT CREEK· La Plata, Colorado· Built 1984· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Kem Lake is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 36.1% in CO)
Dam Length320 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage90 acre-ft
Normal Storage49 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDCO02911

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: December 20, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

KATHERINE PERSHERN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Kem Lake?

Kem Lake 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 Kem Lake?

Kem Lake is owned by KATHERINE PERSHERN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Kem Lake built?

Kem Lake was completed in 1984, making it 42 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 Kem Lake?

Kem Lake serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Kem Lake?

Kem Lake 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 Kem Lake last inspected?

Kem Lake was last inspected on December 20, 2017. 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.