Adobe Creek
Adobe Creek is an earth dam located in Bent County, Colorado, built in 1904. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Adobe Creek
The primary purpose of Adobe Creek is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Fort Lyon Canal Co. (private). It impounds the Adobe Creek-os near Las Animas.
The dam stands 41 feet tall and stretches 7,375 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5,094 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 122,360 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 53 square miles. Completed in 1904, the structure is over a century 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 05/13/2022.
At 41 feet, this dam is taller than 88% of dams nationwide.
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 | Bent |
| Nearest City | Las Animas |
| River/Stream | Adobe Creek-os |
| Coordinates | 38.23501, -103.28056 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 41 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 7,375 ft |
| Year Completed | 1904 (122 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 122,360 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 122,360 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 81,592 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5,094 acres |
| Drainage Area | 53 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 72,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | FORT LYON CANAL CO. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/13/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00515 |
| Federal ID | CO00515 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |