Fossil Creek
Fossil Creek is an earth dam located in Larimer County, Colorado, built in 1903. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Fossil Creek
The primary purpose of Fossil Creek is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by North Poudre Irr. Co. (moen, Tad) (private). It impounds the Fossil Creek near Windsor.
The dam stands 63 feet tall and stretches 6,650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 810 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 16,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 28 square miles. Completed in 1903, 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 10/14/2022.
At 63 feet, this dam is taller than 96% 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 | Larimer |
| Nearest City | Windsor |
| River/Stream | Fossil Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.49168, -104.99390 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 63 ft |
| Dam Height | 42 ft |
| Dam Length | 6,650 ft |
| Year Completed | 1903 (123 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 16,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 16,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 11,100 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 810 acres |
| Drainage Area | 28 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 88,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | NORTH POUDRE IRR. CO. (MOEN, TAD) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01165 |
| Federal ID | CO01165 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |