Nienhuser

LAKE CREEK-TR· Lincoln, Colorado· Built 1924· Earth· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Nienhuser is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1924 and is 102 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 17% in CO)
Dam Length690 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage62 acre-ft
Normal Storage22 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge12,000 cfs
Year Completed1924 (102 years old)
NID IDCO01848

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 30, 1988
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

WULBER F. NIENHUSER

Private

Nearby Dams

Limon Watershed L-3

Lincoln, CO

Significant Hazard 27 ft

Lake Creek

Lincoln, CO

Low Hazard 19 ft

Limon Watershed L-2

Lincoln, CO

Significant Hazard 28 ft

Limon Watershed L-1

Lincoln, CO

High Hazard 34 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nienhuser?

Nienhuser 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 Nienhuser?

Nienhuser is owned by WULBER F. NIENHUSER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nienhuser built?

Nienhuser was completed in 1924, making it 102 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 Nienhuser?

Nienhuser 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 Nienhuser?

Nienhuser has a dam height of 14 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 Nienhuser last inspected?

Nienhuser was last inspected on September 30, 1988. 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.