Bristlecone
Bristlecone is an earth dam located in El Paso County, Colorado, built in 1986. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bristlecone
The primary purpose of Bristlecone is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Forest Lakes Metro District (ann Nichols) (private). It impounds the Beaver Creek near Colorado Springs.
The dam stands 88 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 65 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,923 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 20 square miles. Completed in 1986, the structure is 40 years 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 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 04/28/2021.
At 88 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | El Paso |
| Nearest City | Colorado Springs |
| River/Stream | Beaver Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.05973, -104.87752 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 88 ft |
| Dam Height | 72 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1986 (40 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,923 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,923 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,200 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 65 acres |
| Drainage Area | 20 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 113,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | FOREST LAKES METRO DISTRICT (ANN NICHOLS) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/28/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02435 |
| Federal ID | CO02435 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |