Rist Canyon

RIST CANYON· Larimer, Colorado· Built 1882· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Rist Canyon is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1882 and is 144 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 11% in CO)
Dam Length800 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage63 acre-ft
Normal Storage57 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge6 cfs
Year Completed1882 (144 years old)
NID IDCO02359

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: October 11, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

MORNING FRESH DAIRY (ROB GRAVES)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rist Canyon?

Rist Canyon 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 Rist Canyon?

Rist Canyon is owned by MORNING FRESH DAIRY (ROB GRAVES) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rist Canyon built?

Rist Canyon was completed in 1882, making it 144 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 Rist Canyon?

Rist Canyon serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Rist Canyon?

Rist Canyon has a dam height of 12 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 Rist Canyon last inspected?

Rist Canyon was last inspected on October 11, 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.