Deweese

About Deweese

The primary purpose of Deweese is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by De Weese Dye Ditch & Res. Co. (arlin Bolkema, Pres (private). It impounds the Grape Creek near Canon City.

The dam stands 63 feet tall and stretches 386 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 295 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,441 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 370 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 04/29/2022.

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.