Fishers Canyon Debris Basin Dam

About Fishers Canyon Debris Basin Dam

The primary purpose of Fishers Canyon Debris Basin Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by The Warren Management Group (green, Michelle) (private). It impounds the Fishers Canyon Channel near Colorado Springs.

The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 560 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 28 acre-feet. Completed in 1999, the structure is 27 years 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/17/2020.

At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.

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.