Lake Dorothy

E FORK SCHWACHEIM CREEK-TR· Las Animas, Colorado· Built 1937· Earth· 65 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Dorothy is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 65 ft (taller than 92.2% in CO)
Dam Length775 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage443 acre-ft
Normal Storage344 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge1,954 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDCO00540

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 15, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

RATON WATER WORKS (DAN CAMPBELL, GENERAL MANAGER)

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Dorothy?

Lake Dorothy 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 Lake Dorothy?

Lake Dorothy is owned by RATON WATER WORKS (DAN CAMPBELL, GENERAL MANAGER) (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Dorothy built?

Lake Dorothy was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Lake Dorothy?

Lake Dorothy serves the following purposes: Water Supply, 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 Lake Dorothy?

Lake Dorothy has a dam height of 65 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 Lake Dorothy last inspected?

Lake Dorothy was last inspected on August 15, 2016. 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.