Saddle Pond
Saddle Pond is an earth dam located in Pitkin County, Colorado, built in 1988. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Saddle Pond
The primary purpose of Saddle Pond is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Carroll Drive Properties C/o William Ziff (private). It impounds the Trentaz Gulch-os near Woody Creek.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 330 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 40 acre-feet. Completed in 1988, the structure is 38 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 09/23/2022.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Colorado dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Pitkin |
| Nearest City | Woody Creek |
| River/Stream | Trentaz Gulch-os |
| Coordinates | 39.24222, -106.84612 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 330 ft |
| Year Completed | 1988 (38 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 40 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 40 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 31 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Max Discharge | 53 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | CARROLL DRIVE PROPERTIES C/O WILLIAM ZIFF |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/23/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02725 |
| Federal ID | CO02725 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |