Pinon Canyon Detention
Pinon Canyon Detention is a rockfill dam located in Las Animas County, Colorado, built in 1954. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Pinon Canyon Detention
The primary purpose of Pinon Canyon Detention is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by City Of Trinidad Dpw (local government). It impounds the Pinon Canyon Arroyo near Trinidad.
The dam stands 73 feet tall and stretches 695 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 19 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 561 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1954, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/24/2022.
At 73 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Las Animas |
| Nearest City | Trinidad |
| River/Stream | Pinon Canyon Arroyo |
| Coordinates | 37.18614, -104.52141 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 73 ft |
| Dam Height | 73 ft |
| Dam Length | 695 ft |
| Year Completed | 1954 (72 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 561 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 561 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 406 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 19 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 11,900 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CITY OF TRINIDAD DPW |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/24/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00105 |
| Federal ID | CO00105 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |