Sharps Orchard

Sharps Orchard is an earth dam located in Huerfano County, Colorado, built in 1896. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.

About Sharps Orchard

The primary purpose of Sharps Orchard is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by C.e. Welch (c. E. Welch) (private). It impounds the Walsen Arroyo-os near Fowler.

The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 2,050 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 90 acre-feet. Completed in 1896, the structure is over a century old.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 12/11/2012. That was over 13 years ago.

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Low HazardNot Rated ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateColorado
CountyHuerfano
Nearest CityFowler
River/StreamWalsen Arroyo-os
Coordinates37.63667, -104.73723

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height16 ft
Dam Height16 ft
Dam Length2,050 ft
Year Completed1896 (130 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage90 acre-ft
Max Storage90 acre-ft
Normal Storage45 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Max Discharge1,470 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeIrrigation
OwnerC.E. WELCH (C. E. WELCH)
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationLow
Condition AssessmentNot Rated
Last Inspection12/11/2012
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDCO00505
Federal IDCO00505
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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