Sugar Loaf Dike

LAKE FORK OF ARKANSAS RIVER· Lake, Colorado· Built 1968· Rockfill· 12 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Sugar Loaf Dike is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 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 12 ft (taller than 11% in CO)
Dam Length475 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage135.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage129.4K acre-ft
Surface Area1,805 acres
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDCO01669

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 29, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sugar Loaf Dike?

Sugar Loaf Dike 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 Sugar Loaf Dike?

Sugar Loaf Dike is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sugar Loaf Dike built?

Sugar Loaf Dike was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Sugar Loaf Dike?

Sugar Loaf Dike serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Recreation, 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 Sugar Loaf Dike?

Sugar Loaf Dike 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 Sugar Loaf Dike last inspected?

Sugar Loaf Dike was last inspected on September 29, 2020. 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.