Little King Ranch

BUFFALO CREEK· Grand, Colorado· Built 1968· Earth· 57 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Little King Ranch is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 57 ft (taller than 90.7% in CO)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.1K acre-ft
Surface Area52 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge1,030 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDCO00712

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: August 1, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

CIRCLE C RANCH KING, LLC (PHELPS, DAVID)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Little King Ranch?

Little King Ranch 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 Little King Ranch?

Little King Ranch is owned by CIRCLE C RANCH KING, LLC (PHELPS, DAVID) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Little King Ranch built?

Little King Ranch was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Little King Ranch?

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

How tall is Little King Ranch?

Little King Ranch has a dam height of 57 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 Little King Ranch last inspected?

Little King Ranch was last inspected on August 1, 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.