Mountain View
Mountain View is an earth dam located in Archuleta County, Colorado, built in 2000. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Mountain View
The primary purpose of Mountain View is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Hidden Valley Ranch Association (j. R. Ford) (private). It impounds the Hidden Valley near Pagosa Springs, Co.
The dam stands 102 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 54 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,150 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 2000, the structure is 26 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/28/2022.
At 102 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Archuleta |
| Nearest City | Pagosa Springs, Co |
| River/Stream | Hidden Valley |
| Coordinates | 37.31788, -107.04316 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 102 ft |
| Dam Height | 90 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 2000 (26 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,150 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,150 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,025 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 54 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 580 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH ASSOCIATION (J. R. FORD) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/28/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02797 |
| Federal ID | CO02797 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |