Richards

BIG DRY CREEK-OS· Adams, Colorado· Built 1902· Earth· 17 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Richards is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1902 and is 124 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 26.3% in CO)
Dam Length3,501 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage126 acre-ft
Normal Storage93 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1902 (124 years old)
NID IDCO02147

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 24, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

STONEHOCKER, MIKE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Richards?

Richards 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 Richards?

Richards is owned by STONEHOCKER, MIKE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Richards built?

Richards was completed in 1902, making it 124 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 Richards?

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

How tall is Richards?

Richards has a dam height of 17 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 Richards last inspected?

Richards was last inspected on September 24, 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.