Granite Dam is a gravity dam located in La Plata County, Colorado, built in 1983. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 31 ft31 ft tall and 70 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 concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Granite Dam
The primary purpose of Granite Dam is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Spencer Beal (dennis Sipe) (private). It impounds the Elbert Creek near Durango.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 70 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 22 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 13 square miles. Completed in 1983, the structure is 43 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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. The most recent inspection on record was 08/06/2010. That was over 16 years ago.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | La Plata |
| Nearest City | Durango |
| River/Stream | Elbert Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.47940, -107.80549 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 70 ft |
| Year Completed | 1983 (43 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 22 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 22 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 9 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Drainage Area | 13 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 205 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | Spencer Beal (dennis Sipe) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 08/06/2010 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02536 |
| Federal ID | CO02536 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |