Mckay

HOWLETT GULCH-TR· Weld, Colorado· Built 1886· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Mckay is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1886 and is 140 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 2.9% in CO)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage92 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area14 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge96 cfs
Year Completed1886 (140 years old)
NID IDCO01230

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

L. E. RICHARDSON

Private

Nearby Dams

Holt

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Low Hazard 11 ft

Parmalee

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Low Hazard 8 ft

Clennon

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Significant Hazard 14 ft

Mulligan

Weld, CO

Low Hazard 10 ft

Myron Isabel

Weld, CO

Low Hazard 27 ft

Little Gem

Weld, CO

Low Hazard 27 ft

Akers & Tarr

Weld, CO

Significant Hazard 38 ft

Highland #1

Weld, CO

Significant Hazard 17 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mckay?

Mckay 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 Mckay?

Mckay is owned by L. E. RICHARDSON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mckay built?

Mckay was completed in 1886, making it 140 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 Mckay?

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

How tall is Mckay?

Mckay has a dam height of 9 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.

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.