Wagon Tongue

WAGON TONGUE GULCH· Park, Colorado· Built 1960· Earth· 32 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Wagon Tongue is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 32 ft (taller than 70.4% in CO)
Dam Length380 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage210 acre-ft
Normal Storage130 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge2,748 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDCO00343

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: October 20, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

WAGON TONGUE REC. CLUB, INC. (TERRY BRUNETTE)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wagon Tongue?

Wagon Tongue 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 Wagon Tongue?

Wagon Tongue is owned by WAGON TONGUE REC. CLUB, INC. (TERRY BRUNETTE) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wagon Tongue built?

Wagon Tongue was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Wagon Tongue?

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

How tall is Wagon Tongue?

Wagon Tongue 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 Wagon Tongue last inspected?

Wagon Tongue was last inspected on October 20, 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.