Smith Irrigation
Smith Irrigation is an earth dam located in Adams County, Colorado, built in 1908. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Smith Irrigation
The primary purpose of Smith Irrigation is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Todd Creek Village Metro District (private). It impounds the Todd Creek near Brighton.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 1,073 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 34 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 429 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1908, 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 04/20/2022.
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.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Adams |
| Nearest City | Brighton |
| River/Stream | Todd Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.97626, -104.89378 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,073 ft |
| Year Completed | 1908 (118 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 429 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 429 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 257 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 34 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,378 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | TODD CREEK VILLAGE METRO DISTRICT |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/20/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00100 |
| Federal ID | CO00100 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |