Ward Creek
Ward Creek is an earth dam located in Delta County, Colorado, built in 1957. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Ward Creek
The primary purpose of Ward Creek is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Surface Creek Ditch & Reservoir Co. (waibel, Keith (private). It impounds the Ward Creek near Cedaredge.
The dam stands 47 feet tall and stretches 880 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 482 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1957, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/14/2022.
At 47 feet, this dam is taller than 92% 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 | Delta |
| Nearest City | Cedaredge |
| River/Stream | Ward Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.01334, -107.99724 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Length | 880 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 482 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 482 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 284 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,589 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | SURFACE CREEK DITCH & RESERVOIR CO. (WAIBEL, KEITH |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00639 |
| Federal ID | CO00639 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |