Koch

SO FORK FRENCHMAN CREEK-TR· Phillips, Colorado· Built 1947· Earth· 15 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Koch is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1947 and is 79 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 20.1% in CO)
Dam Length350 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage180 acre-ft
Normal Storage39 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge6,000 cfs
Year Completed1947 (79 years old)
NID IDCO00392

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: April 13, 1995
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

MERL D. KOCH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Koch?

Koch 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 Koch?

Koch is owned by MERL D. KOCH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Koch built?

Koch was completed in 1947, making it 79 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 Koch?

Koch serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Koch?

Koch has a dam height of 15 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 Koch last inspected?

Koch was last inspected on April 13, 1995. 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.