Windy Gap
Windy Gap is an earth dam located in Grand County, Colorado, built in 1985. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Windy Gap
The primary purpose of Windy Gap is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (fria (local government). It impounds the Colorado River near Hot Sulphur Springs.
The dam stands 43 feet tall and stretches 4,955 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 108 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,633 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 773 square miles. Completed in 1985, the structure is 41 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/20/2022.
At 43 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Grand |
| Nearest City | Hot Sulphur Springs |
| River/Stream | Colorado River |
| Coordinates | 40.10833, -105.98445 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 43 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,955 ft |
| Year Completed | 1985 (41 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,633 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,633 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 445 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 108 acres |
| Drainage Area | 773 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 46,720 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | NORTHERN COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT (FRIA |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/20/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02593 |
| Federal ID | CO02593 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |