Empire (outlet Embankment)

About Empire (outlet Embankment)

The primary purpose of Empire (outlet Embankment) is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Bijou Irrigation Co. (brownell, Jill) (private). It impounds the South Platte River-os near Orchard.

The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 2,300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,616 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 44,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11 square miles. Completed in 1905, the structure is over a century old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/07/2022.

At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Colorado dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

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