Needle Creek

NEEDLE CREEK· Saguache, Colorado· Built 1961· Earth· 64 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Needle Creek is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 64 ft (taller than 92% in CO)
Dam Length660 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.0K acre-ft
Surface Area42 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge966 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDCO00797

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 2, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

NEEDLE CREEK RESERVOIR ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Needle Creek?

Needle Creek 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 Needle Creek?

Needle Creek is owned by NEEDLE CREEK RESERVOIR ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Needle Creek built?

Needle Creek was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Needle Creek?

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

How tall is Needle Creek?

Needle Creek has a dam height of 64 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 Needle Creek last inspected?

Needle Creek was last inspected on August 2, 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.