Lake Forest

MARTINEZ CREEK· Archuleta, Colorado· Built 1974· Earth· 23 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Forest is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 47.2% in CO)
Dam Length1,400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage490 acre-ft
Normal Storage465 acre-ft
Surface Area42 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge525 cfs
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDCO01860

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 31, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

PAGOSA LAKES PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION (LARRY LY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Forest?

Lake Forest 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 Forest?

Lake Forest is owned by PAGOSA LAKES PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION (LARRY LY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Forest built?

Lake Forest was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Forest?

Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest?

Lake Forest has a dam height of 23 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 Forest last inspected?

Lake Forest was last inspected on August 31, 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.