Turks Pond

HORSE CREEK-TR· Baca, Colorado· Built 1952· Earth· 32 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Irrigation State Government

Key Takeaway

Turks Pond is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 32 ft (taller than 70.4% in CO)
Dam Length1,300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage544 acre-ft
Normal Storage313 acre-ft
Surface Area33 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge5,850 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDCO00755

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: October 11, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE

State Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Turks Pond?

Turks Pond 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 Turks Pond?

Turks Pond is owned by COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Turks Pond built?

Turks Pond was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Turks Pond?

Turks Pond serves the following purposes: Recreation, Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Turks Pond?

Turks Pond has a dam height of 32 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 Turks Pond last inspected?

Turks Pond was last inspected on October 11, 2017. 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.