Bauer Lake #1 is an earth dam located in Montezuma County, Colorado, built in 1907. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 30 ft30 ft tall and 1,856 ft long, taller than 68% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. 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 Bauer Lake #1
The primary purpose of Bauer Lake #1 is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bauer Lake Water Co. (private). It impounds the Chicken Creek-os near Mancos.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 1,856 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 32 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 510 acre-feet. Completed in 1907, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 09/12/2022.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Montezuma |
| Nearest City | Mancos |
| River/Stream | Chicken Creek-os |
| Coordinates | 37.41182, -108.30436 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,856 ft |
| Year Completed | 1907 (119 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 510 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 510 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 350 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 32 acres |
| Max Discharge | 882 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Bauer Lake Water Co. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/12/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01076 |
| Federal ID | CO01076 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |