Hughes

Hughes is an earth dam located in Garfield County, Colorado, built in 1935. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Hughes

The primary purpose of Hughes is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Carlos Longoria (private). It impounds the Three Mile Creek near Glenwood Springs.

The dam stands 19 feet tall and stretches 170 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 24 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 416 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1935, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 05/24/2021.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateColorado
CountyGarfield
Nearest CityGlenwood Springs
River/StreamThree Mile Creek
Coordinates39.48001, -107.36057

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height19 ft
Dam Height18 ft
Dam Length170 ft
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage416 acre-ft
Max Storage416 acre-ft
Normal Storage88 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge1,180 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeIrrigation
OwnerCARLOS LONGORIA
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection05/24/2021
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCO00681
Federal IDCO00681
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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