Santa Maria
Key Takeaway
Santa Maria is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1911 and is 115 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 102 ft (taller than 96.4% in CO) |
| Dam Length | 1,250 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 49.4K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 43.8K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 525 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,100 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1911 (115 years old) |
| NID ID | CO00780 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
SANTA MARIA RESERVOIR CO. (HOLLAND, KEITH)
Private
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Low Hazard 13 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Santa Maria?
Santa Maria is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Santa Maria?
Santa Maria is owned by SANTA MARIA RESERVOIR CO. (HOLLAND, KEITH) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Santa Maria built?
Santa Maria was completed in 1911, making it 115 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 Santa Maria?
Santa Maria serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Santa Maria?
Santa Maria has a dam height of 102 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 Santa Maria last inspected?
Santa Maria was last inspected on August 17, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.