R. D. Nixon

FOUNTAIN CREEK-TR· El Paso, Colorado· Built 1979· Earth· 28 ft tall
Significant Hazard Other Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

R. D. Nixon is classified as significant hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 years old. Its primary use is other. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 61.6% in CO)
Dam Length2,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage821 acre-ft
Surface Area92 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge2,900 cfs
Year Completed1979 (47 years old)
NID IDCO01315

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: April 22, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of R. D. Nixon?

R. D. Nixon is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates R. D. Nixon?

R. D. Nixon is owned by COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was R. D. Nixon built?

R. D. Nixon was completed in 1979, making it 47 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 R. D. Nixon?

R. D. Nixon serves the following purposes: Other, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is R. D. Nixon?

R. D. Nixon has a dam height of 28 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 R. D. Nixon last inspected?

R. D. Nixon was last inspected on April 22, 2021. 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.