Sappington
Sappington is an earth dam located in Archuleta County, Colorado, built in 1981. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Sappington
The primary purpose of Sappington is fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam maintains a small impoundment used for fire suppression, livestock watering, or as a fish pond. The dam is owned by Alpine Lakes Ranch Ditch Co. (smith, Ron) (private). It impounds the Coyote Creek-tr near Dulce, Nm.
The dam stands 60 feet tall and stretches 390 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 421 acre-feet. Completed in 1981, the structure is 45 years 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/27/2022.
At 60 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Archuleta |
| Nearest City | Dulce, Nm |
| River/Stream | Coyote Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 37.08856, -106.85886 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 60 ft |
| Dam Height | 55 ft |
| Dam Length | 390 ft |
| Year Completed | 1981 (45 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 421 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 421 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 312 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Max Discharge | 800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond |
| Owner | ALPINE LAKES RANCH DITCH CO. (SMITH, RON) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/27/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01408 |
| Federal ID | CO01408 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |