Michaelson #1 is an earth dam located in Mesa County, Colorado, built in 1926. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 22 ft22 ft tall and 345 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Michaelson #1
The primary purpose of Michaelson #1 is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Michaelsen, Bruce (private). It impounds the Pretty Creek near Plateau City.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 345 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 57 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1926, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 07/08/2021.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Mesa |
| Nearest City | Plateau City |
| River/Stream | Pretty Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.12168, -107.89057 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 345 ft |
| Year Completed | 1926 (100 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 57 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 57 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 38 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 415 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Michaelsen, Bruce |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/08/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01041 |
| Federal ID | CO01041 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |