Max Killian Dam #1
Max Killian Dam #1 is an earth dam located in Elbert County, Colorado, built in 1971. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Max Killian Dam #1
The primary purpose of Max Killian Dam #1 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 Harry B. Combs / Amr Combs (joyce Shaw) (private). It impounds the West Bijou Creek-tr near Fondis.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 565 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 165 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1971, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 10/07/1998. That was over 27 years ago.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Elbert |
| Nearest City | Fondis |
| River/Stream | West Bijou Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 39.15362, -104.39919 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 565 ft |
| Year Completed | 1971 (55 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 165 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 165 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 90 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 13 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | HARRY B. COMBS / AMR COMBS (JOYCE SHAW) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/07/1998 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00017 |
| Federal ID | CO00017 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |