Homestake Project
Homestake Project is a rockfill dam located in Eagle County, Colorado, built in 1967. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Homestake Project
The primary purpose of Homestake Project is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Homestake Project (tom Hankins) (local government). It impounds the Middle Fork Homestake near Minturn.
The dam stands 265 feet tall and stretches 1,996 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 333 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 45,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1967, 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 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 08/17/2022.
At 265 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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 | Eagle |
| Nearest City | Minturn |
| River/Stream | Middle Fork Homestake |
| Coordinates | 39.36834, -106.46390 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 265 ft |
| Dam Height | 231 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,996 ft |
| Year Completed | 1967 (59 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 45,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 45,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 42,900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 333 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,780 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | HOMESTAKE PROJECT (TOM HANKINS) |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/17/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00673 |
| Federal ID | CO00673 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |