Thompson

BIG DRY CREEK· Weld, Colorado· Built 1888· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Thompson is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1888 and is 138 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 8.7% in CO)
Dam Length1,536 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage265 acre-ft
Normal Storage90 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge223 cfs
Year Completed1888 (138 years old)
NID IDCO01892

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: July 20, 1987
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

JOHN HOWARD,

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Thompson?

Thompson 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 Thompson?

Thompson is owned by JOHN HOWARD, (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Thompson built?

Thompson was completed in 1888, making it 138 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 Thompson?

Thompson 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 Thompson?

Thompson has a dam height of 11 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 Thompson last inspected?

Thompson was last inspected on July 20, 1987. 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.