Walsenburg City Lake

CUCHARAS RIVER-OS· Huerfano, Colorado· Built 2019· Earth· 21 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Walsenburg City Lake is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 2019 and is 7 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 21 ft (taller than 40.7% in CO)
Dam Length3,950 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage992 acre-ft
Normal Storage686 acre-ft
Surface Area50 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,544 cfs
Year Completed2019 (7 years old)
NID IDCO00514

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: May 6, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

CITY OF WALSENBURG

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Walsenburg City Lake?

Walsenburg City Lake 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 Walsenburg City Lake?

Walsenburg City Lake is owned by CITY OF WALSENBURG (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Walsenburg City Lake built?

Walsenburg City Lake was completed in 2019, making it 7 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 Walsenburg City Lake?

Walsenburg City Lake serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Walsenburg City Lake?

Walsenburg City Lake has a dam height of 21 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 Walsenburg City Lake last inspected?

Walsenburg City Lake was last inspected on May 6, 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.