La Jara - Dam No. 1

LA JARA CREEK· Conejos, Colorado· Built 1906· Earth· 48 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Irrigation Fish And Wildlife Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

La Jara - Dam No. 1 is classified as significant hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1906 and is 120 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 48 ft (taller than 87.4% in CO)
Dam Length510 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage14.1K acre-ft
Surface Area1,241 acres
Drainage Area40 sq mi
Max Discharge1,650 cfs
Year Completed1906 (120 years old)
NID IDCO00814

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: June 9, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (TAYLOR, MARGARET)

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of La Jara - Dam No. 1?

La Jara - Dam No. 1 is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates La Jara - Dam No. 1?

La Jara - Dam No. 1 is owned by COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (TAYLOR, MARGARET) (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was La Jara - Dam No. 1 built?

La Jara - Dam No. 1 was completed in 1906, making it 120 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 La Jara - Dam No. 1?

La Jara - Dam No. 1 serves the following purposes: Recreation, Irrigation, 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 La Jara - Dam No. 1?

La Jara - Dam No. 1 has a dam height of 48 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 La Jara - Dam No. 1 last inspected?

La Jara - Dam No. 1 was last inspected on June 9, 2022. 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.