Rifle Valley

HUBBARD GULCH-TR· Garfield, Colorado· Built 1906· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Rifle Valley is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1906 and is 120 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 36.1% in CO)
Dam Length240 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage680 acre-ft
Normal Storage3 acre-ft
Surface Area1 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge42 cfs
Year Completed1906 (120 years old)
NID IDCO00697

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 13, 1989
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rifle Valley?

Rifle Valley 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 Rifle Valley?

Rifle Valley is owned by U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rifle Valley built?

Rifle Valley was completed in 1906, making it 120 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 Rifle Valley?

Rifle Valley serves the following purposes: 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 Rifle Valley?

Rifle Valley has a dam height of 20 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 Rifle Valley last inspected?

Rifle Valley was last inspected on June 13, 1989. 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.