Poitz

BIG DRY CREEK-TR· Adams, Colorado· Built 1889· Earth· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Poitz is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1889 and is 137 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 0.4% in CO)
Dam Length1,338 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage134 acre-ft
Normal Storage80 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge55 cfs
Year Completed1889 (137 years old)
NID IDCO02146

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 26, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

CITY OF THORNTON

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Poitz?

Poitz 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 Poitz?

Poitz is owned by CITY OF THORNTON (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Poitz built?

Poitz was completed in 1889, making it 137 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 Poitz?

Poitz serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Poitz?

Poitz has a dam height of 7 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 Poitz last inspected?

Poitz was last inspected on September 26, 2013. 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.