Lake Emrich

DRY CREEK-TR· Routt, Colorado· Built 1911· Earth· 29 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Lake Emrich is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1911 and is 115 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 29 ft (taller than 64% in CO)
Dam Length631 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage621 acre-ft
Normal Storage421 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge691 cfs
Year Completed1911 (115 years old)
NID IDCO01011

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: September 19, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

SMITH, DAVID & KATHY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Emrich?

Lake Emrich 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 Emrich?

Lake Emrich is owned by SMITH, DAVID & KATHY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Emrich built?

Lake Emrich was completed in 1911, making it 115 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 Emrich?

Lake Emrich serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Emrich?

Lake Emrich has a dam height of 29 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 Emrich last inspected?

Lake Emrich was last inspected on September 19, 2018. 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.