Williams Fork Main
Williams Fork Main is a concrete dam located in Grand County, Colorado, built in 1959. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Williams Fork Main
The primary purpose of Williams Fork Main 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 Denver Water (local government). It impounds the Williams Fork River near Parshall.
The dam stands 209 feet tall and stretches 674 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,700 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 96,800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 230 square miles. Completed in 1959, 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 09/28/2022.
At 209 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 | Grand |
| Nearest City | Parshall |
| River/Stream | Williams Fork River |
| Coordinates | 40.03490, -106.20530 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 209 ft |
| Dam Height | 209 ft |
| Dam Length | 674 ft |
| Year Completed | 1959 (67 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 96,800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 96,800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 96,800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,700 acres |
| Drainage Area | 230 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,725 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Denver Water |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/28/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00717 |
| Federal ID | CO00717 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |