Dixon Canyon

Dixon Canyon is an earth dam located in Larimer County, Colorado, built in 1885. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Dixon Canyon

The primary purpose of Dixon Canyon is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Dixon Water Board (rupp, Paul) (local government). It impounds the Dixon Creek-tr near Fort Collins.

The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 975 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 65 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 700 acre-feet. Completed in 1885, the structure is over a century old.

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 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 06/24/2022.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateColorado
CountyLarimer
Nearest CityFort Collins
River/StreamDixon Creek-tr
Coordinates40.55390, -105.14122

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height14 ft
Dam Height14 ft
Dam Length975 ft
Year Completed1885 (141 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage700 acre-ft
Max Storage700 acre-ft
Normal Storage335 acre-ft
Surface Area65 acres
Max Discharge643 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeIrrigation
OwnerDIXON WATER BOARD (RUPP, PAUL)
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/24/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCO01162
Federal IDCO01162
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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