Lake Hope

Lake Fork· San Miguel, Colorado· Built 1910· Rockfill· 18 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Lake Hope is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1910 and is 116 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 29.2% in CO)
Dam Length150 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage2.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.0K acre-ft
Surface Area44 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Year Completed1910 (116 years old)
NID IDCO00866

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 13, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

Public Service Company of Colorado

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Hope?

Lake Hope 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 Hope?

Lake Hope is owned by Public Service Company of Colorado (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Hope built?

Lake Hope was completed in 1910, making it 116 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 Hope?

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

How tall is Lake Hope?

Lake Hope has a dam height of 18 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 Hope last inspected?

Lake Hope was last inspected on September 13, 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.