Pueblo

ARKANSAS RIVER· Pueblo, Colorado· Built 1975· Buttress· 200 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Pueblo is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 200 ft (taller than 98.6% in CO)
Dam Length10,230 ft
Dam TypeButtress
Max Storage489.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage322.9K acre-ft
Surface Area5,671 acres
Drainage Area4,686 sq mi
Max Discharge191,500 cfs
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
NID IDCO00299

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 21, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pueblo?

Pueblo 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 Pueblo?

Pueblo is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pueblo built?

Pueblo was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Pueblo?

Pueblo serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Pueblo?

Pueblo has a dam height of 200 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 Pueblo last inspected?

Pueblo was last inspected on July 21, 2020. 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.