Lemon

FLORIDA RIVER· La Plata, Colorado· Built 1962· Rockfill· 284 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Lemon is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 284 ft (taller than 99.5% in CO)
Dam Length1,360 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage48.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage40.1K acre-ft
Surface Area686 acres
Drainage Area68 sq mi
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDCO01688

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: July 8, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lemon?

Lemon is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lemon?

Lemon is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lemon built?

Lemon was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Lemon?

Lemon serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Irrigation, Recreation, Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lemon?

Lemon has a dam height of 284 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 Lemon last inspected?

Lemon was last inspected on July 8, 2020. 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.