Elk Creek Dam No. 2

About Elk Creek Dam No. 2

The primary purpose of Elk Creek Dam No. 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 Elk Creek Conservancy District (local government). It impounds the Unnamed Tributary Elk Creek near Pumpkin Center.

The dam stands 39 feet tall and stretches 580 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 15 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 217 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1960, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 12/21/2019.

At 39 feet, this dam is taller than 86% of dams nationwide.

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