Rapid Creek #1
Rapid Creek #1 is an earth dam located in Mesa County, Colorado, built in 1934. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Rapid Creek #1
The primary purpose of Rapid Creek #1 is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Sdlmtn, Llc (howard Hawks) (private). It impounds the Rapid Creek near Palisade.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 530 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 114 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,089 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1934, 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 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 07/19/2022.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Mesa |
| Nearest City | Palisade |
| River/Stream | Rapid Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.08167, -108.21890 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Length | 530 ft |
| Year Completed | 1934 (92 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,089 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,089 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 714 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 114 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 865 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | SDLMTN, LLC (HOWARD HAWKS) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/19/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01964 |
| Federal ID | CO01964 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |