Crooked Arroyo Det Ca-2

Crooked Arroyo Det Ca-2 is an earth dam located in Otero County, Colorado, built in 1975. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Crooked Arroyo Det Ca-2

The primary purpose of Crooked Arroyo Det Ca-2 is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Otero County (nichols, Lex) (local government). It impounds the Crooked Arroyo near La Junta.

The dam stands 56 feet tall and stretches 4,254 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 705 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 24,047 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 90 square miles. Completed in 1975, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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 10/07/2021.

At 56 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateColorado
CountyOtero
Nearest CityLa Junta
River/StreamCrooked Arroyo
Coordinates37.93167, -103.65057

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height56 ft
Dam Height28 ft
Dam Length4,254 ft
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage24,047 acre-ft
Max Storage24,047 acre-ft
Normal Storage6,998 acre-ft
Surface Area705 acres
Drainage Area90 sq mi
Max Discharge32,000 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerOTERO COUNTY (NICHOLS, LEX)
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection10/07/2021
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCO01837
Federal IDCO01837
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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