Lewis

Bridal Veil Creek· San Miguel, Colorado· Built 1904· Rockfill· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Lewis is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1904 and is 122 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 23.3% in CO)
Dam Length190 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage175 acre-ft
Normal Storage175 acre-ft
Surface Area25 acres
Max Discharge100 cfs
Year Completed1904 (122 years old)
NID IDCO00929

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 24, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

Newmont Mining Corporation

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lewis?

Lewis 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 Lewis?

Lewis is owned by Newmont Mining Corporation (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lewis built?

Lewis was completed in 1904, making it 122 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 Lewis?

Lewis serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lewis?

Lewis has a dam height of 16 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 Lewis last inspected?

Lewis was last inspected on August 24, 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.