Montez #5

HUERFANO RIVER-TR· Huerfano, Colorado· Built 1909· Earth· 10 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Montez #5 is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1909 and is 117 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 4.4% in CO)
Dam Length960 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage291 acre-ft
Normal Storage40 acre-ft
Surface Area22 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge75 cfs
Year Completed1909 (117 years old)
NID IDCO02000

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 16, 1992
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

WOLF SPRINGS RANCH (RANCH MANAGER)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Montez #5?

Montez #5 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 Montez #5?

Montez #5 is owned by WOLF SPRINGS RANCH (RANCH MANAGER) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Montez #5 built?

Montez #5 was completed in 1909, making it 117 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 Montez #5?

Montez #5 serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Montez #5?

Montez #5 has a dam height of 10 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 Montez #5 last inspected?

Montez #5 was last inspected on September 16, 1992. 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.