Rainbow Lake

MIDDLE COTTONWOOD· Chaffee, Colorado· Built 1965· Rockfill· 23 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Rainbow Lake is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 47.2% in CO)
Dam Length120 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage196 acre-ft
Normal Storage106 acre-ft
Surface Area19 acres
Drainage Area32 sq mi
Max Discharge1,730 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
Year Modified1989
NID IDCO02453

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: June 25, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

RAINBOW LAKE RESORT, INC. (LIPPERT, JOEL)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rainbow Lake?

Rainbow Lake 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 Rainbow Lake?

Rainbow Lake is owned by RAINBOW LAKE RESORT, INC. (LIPPERT, JOEL) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rainbow Lake built?

Rainbow Lake was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Rainbow Lake?

Rainbow Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Rainbow Lake?

Rainbow Lake has a dam height of 23 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 Rainbow Lake last inspected?

Rainbow Lake was last inspected on June 25, 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.