Narraguinnep - Main Dam
Narraguinnep - Main Dam is an earth dam located in Montezuma County, Colorado, built in 1908. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Narraguinnep - Main Dam
The primary purpose of Narraguinnep - 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 Montezuma Valley Irrigation Co. (private). It impounds the Narraguinnep Canyon near Bluff, Ut.
The dam stands 114 feet tall and stretches 3,887 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 581 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 22,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9 square miles. Completed in 1908, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/10/2023.
At 114 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Montezuma |
| Nearest City | Bluff, Ut |
| River/Stream | Narraguinnep Canyon |
| Coordinates | 37.48330, -108.62624 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 114 ft |
| Dam Height | 100 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,887 ft |
| Year Completed | 1908 (118 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 22,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 22,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 18,960 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 581 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | MONTEZUMA VALLEY IRRIGATION CO. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/10/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01089 |
| Federal ID | CO01089 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |