Palmer Lake #2

N. MONUMENT CK· El Paso, Colorado· Built 1904· Concrete· 44 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Palmer Lake #2 is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1904 and is 122 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 44 ft (taller than 84.9% in CO)
Dam Length136 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage200 acre-ft
Normal Storage144 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Max Discharge500 cfs
Year Completed1904 (122 years old)
Year Modified1997
NID IDCO00436

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: July 6, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

TOWN OF PALMER LAKE

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Palmer Lake #2?

Palmer Lake #2 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 Palmer Lake #2?

Palmer Lake #2 is owned by TOWN OF PALMER LAKE (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Palmer Lake #2 built?

Palmer Lake #2 was completed in 1904, making it 122 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 Palmer Lake #2?

Palmer Lake #2 serves the following purposes: Water Supply, 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 Palmer Lake #2?

Palmer Lake #2 has a dam height of 44 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 Palmer Lake #2 last inspected?

Palmer Lake #2 was last inspected on July 6, 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.