Dye
Dye is an earth dam located in Otero County, Colorado, built in 1903. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Dye
The primary purpose of Dye is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Holbrook Mutual Irr. Co. (jeremy Dutton) (private). It impounds the Arkansas River-os near Swink.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 2,112 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 427 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9 square miles. Completed in 1903, 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 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 06/07/2021.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Otero |
| Nearest City | Swink |
| River/Stream | Arkansas River-os |
| Coordinates | 38.08168, -103.69723 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,112 ft |
| Year Completed | 1903 (123 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,341 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 427 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 340 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | HOLBROOK MUTUAL IRR. CO. (JEREMY DUTTON) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/07/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01847 |
| Federal ID | CO01847 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |