Taylor Draw

White River· Rio Blanco, Colorado· Built 1984· Earth· 71 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Taylor Draw is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. 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 71 ft (taller than 93.1% in CO)
Dam Length1,130 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage22.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage13.8K acre-ft
Surface Area615 acres
Drainage Area2,788 sq mi
Max Discharge138,000 cfs
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDCO02572

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: July 21, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Taylor Draw?

Taylor Draw 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 Taylor Draw?

Taylor Draw is owned by Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Taylor Draw built?

Taylor Draw was completed in 1984, making it 42 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 Taylor Draw?

Taylor Draw serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Irrigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Taylor Draw?

Taylor Draw has a dam height of 71 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 Taylor Draw last inspected?

Taylor Draw was last inspected on July 21, 2022. 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.