Duncan is an earth dam located in La Plata County, Colorado, built in 1978. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 31 ft31 ft tall and 180 ft long, taller than 72% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Duncan
Duncan is a dam in La Plata, Colorado. The dam is owned by Purgatory Metro District (hassel, Eric) (local government). It impounds the Purgatory Creek-os near Durango.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 180 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 78 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 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. The most recent inspection on record was 08/18/2021.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | La Plata |
| Nearest City | Durango |
| River/Stream | Purgatory Creek-os |
| Coordinates | 37.63049, -107.80567 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 180 ft |
| Year Completed | 1978 (48 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 78 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 78 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 61 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Purgatory Metro District (hassel, Eric) |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/18/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02535 |
| Federal ID | CO02535 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |