Poison Spring

GUNNISON RIVER-TR· Montrose, Colorado· Built 1952· Earth· 32 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Poison Spring is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 32 ft (taller than 70.4% in CO)
Dam Length520 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage202 acre-ft
Normal Storage110 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge882 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDCO00615

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: July 5, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

LJH BLACK CANYON, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Poison Spring?

Poison Spring 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 Poison Spring?

Poison Spring is owned by LJH BLACK CANYON, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Poison Spring built?

Poison Spring was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Poison Spring?

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

How tall is Poison Spring?

Poison Spring has a dam height of 32 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 Poison Spring last inspected?

Poison Spring was last inspected on July 5, 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.