Saltpeter Creek Site 1a

About Saltpeter Creek Site 1a

The primary purpose of Saltpeter Creek Site 1a 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 Colfax Soil & Water Conservation District (local government). It impounds the Saltpeter Creek near Maxwell.

The dam stands 72 feet tall and stretches 2,095 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 65 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,226 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 18 square miles. Completed in 1964, 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 06/05/2013. That was over 12 years ago.

At 72 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.

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