Sheep Lake

WARD CREEK-TR· Delta, Colorado· Built 1889· Earth· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Sheep Lake is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1889 and is 137 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 53.1% in CO)
Dam Length795 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage206 acre-ft
Normal Storage154 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge295 cfs
Year Completed1889 (137 years old)
NID IDCO01884

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: August 30, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

SURFACE CREEK DITCH & RESERVOIR CO. (WAIBEL, KEITH

Private

Nearby Dams

Deep Slough

Delta, CO

High Hazard 21 ft

Ward Lake

Delta, CO

High Hazard 27 ft

Alexander Lake

Delta, CO

Low Hazard 11 ft

Island Lake

Delta, CO

Significant Hazard 18 ft

Little Gem

Delta, CO

Low Hazard 24 ft

Ward Creek

Delta, CO

High Hazard 45 ft

Womack #1

Delta, CO

Low Hazard 27 ft

Arch Slough

Delta, CO

Low Hazard 15 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sheep Lake?

Sheep 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 Sheep Lake?

Sheep Lake is owned by SURFACE CREEK DITCH & RESERVOIR CO. (WAIBEL, KEITH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sheep Lake built?

Sheep Lake was completed in 1889, making it 137 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 Sheep Lake?

Sheep Lake 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 Sheep Lake?

Sheep Lake has a dam height of 25 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 Sheep Lake last inspected?

Sheep Lake was last inspected on August 30, 2021. 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.