Canon Wtrsd C-3
Canon Wtrsd C-3 is an earth dam located in Fremont County, Colorado, built in 1972. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Canon Wtrsd C-3
The primary purpose of Canon Wtrsd C-3 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 Board Of County Commissioners (board Of County Com (local government). It impounds the Sand Creek near Canon City.
The dam stands 93 feet tall and stretches 715 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 62 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,923 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1972, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/20/2021.
At 93 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 | Fremont |
| Nearest City | Canon City |
| River/Stream | Sand Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.41333, -105.22390 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 93 ft |
| Dam Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Length | 715 ft |
| Year Completed | 1972 (54 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,923 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,923 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,141 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 62 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 10,580 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOARD OF COUNTY COM |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/20/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00461 |
| Federal ID | CO00461 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |