Chapman

Chapman is an earth dam located in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, built in 1940. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Chapman

The primary purpose of Chapman is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Prima Ranches, Llc (gates, Valerie) (private). It impounds the Little Oak Creek near Oak Creek.

The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 471 acre-feet. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

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 09/22/2021.

At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateColorado
CountyRio Blanco
Nearest CityOak Creek
River/StreamLittle Oak Creek
Coordinates40.18668, -107.09057

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height34 ft
Dam Height34 ft
Dam Length250 ft
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage471 acre-ft
Max Storage471 acre-ft
Normal Storage246 acre-ft
Surface Area22 acres
Max Discharge200 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeIrrigation
OwnerPRIMA RANCHES, LLC (GATES, VALERIE)
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection09/22/2021
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCO02159
Federal IDCO02159
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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