Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam
Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam is an earth dam located in Montezuma County, Colorado, built in 1905. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam
The primary purpose of Bauer Lake #2 - Main Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bauer Lake Reservoir Co (wolcott, Ben) (private). It impounds the Chicken Creek-tr near Mancos.
The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 1,020 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 67 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 2,284 acre-feet. Completed in 1905, the structure is over a century 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 05/06/2022.
At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.
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 | Montezuma |
| Nearest City | Mancos |
| River/Stream | Chicken Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 37.38010, -108.30302 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,020 ft |
| Year Completed | 1905 (121 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,284 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,284 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,532 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 67 acres |
| Max Discharge | 1,048 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | BAUER LAKE RESERVOIR CO (WOLCOTT, BEN) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/06/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01077 |
| Federal ID | CO01077 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |