Mountain Home

TRINCHERA CREEK· Costilla, Colorado· Built 1908· Earth· 127 ft tall

High Hazard Irrigation Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Mountain Home is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1908 and is 118 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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	127 ft (taller than 97.4% in CO)
Dam Length	490 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	26.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage	18.0K acre-ft

Surface Area	597 acres
Drainage Area	70 sq mi
Max Discharge	17,600 cfs
Year Completed	1908 (118 years old)
NID ID	CO00818

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: June 23, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

TRACY KESTER,

Private

Nearby Dams

Smith

Costilla, CO

Significant Hazard 32 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mountain Home?

Mountain Home 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 Mountain Home?

Mountain Home is owned by TRACY KESTER, (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mountain Home built?

Mountain Home was completed in 1908, making it 118 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 Mountain Home?

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

How tall is Mountain Home?

Mountain Home has a dam height of 127 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 Mountain Home last inspected?

Mountain Home was last inspected on June 23, 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.