Ryan Gulch
Ryan Gulch is an earth dam located in Larimer County, Colorado, built in 1950. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Ryan Gulch
The primary purpose of Ryan Gulch is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Ryan Gulch Reservoir Company (bill Beierwaltes) (private). It impounds the Ryan Gulch near Loveland.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 894 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 87 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,290 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 12 square miles. Completed in 1950, 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 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 08/03/2021.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Larimer |
| Nearest City | Loveland |
| River/Stream | Ryan Gulch |
| Coordinates | 40.37490, -105.09954 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 894 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,290 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,290 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 738 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 87 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,076 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | RYAN GULCH RESERVOIR COMPANY (BILL BEIERWALTES) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/03/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01194 |
| Federal ID | CO01194 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |