Horsetooth Dam
Horsetooth Dam is an earth dam located in Larimer County, Colorado, built in 1949. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Horsetooth Dam
The primary purpose of Horsetooth Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bureau Of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the Cache La Poudre Tr near Fort Collins.
The dam stands 158 feet tall and stretches 1,840 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,040 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 170,370 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 17 square miles. Completed in 1949, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/15/2020.
At 158 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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 | Fort Collins |
| River/Stream | Cache La Poudre Tr |
| Coordinates | 40.59910, -105.17230 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 158 ft |
| Dam Height | 155 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,840 ft |
| Year Completed | 1949 (77 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 170,370 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 170,370 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 156,735 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,040 acres |
| Drainage Area | 17 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | BUREAU OF RECLAMATION |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 09/15/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01659 |
| Federal ID | CO01659 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |