Ridges Basin Dam
Ridges Basin Dam is an earth dam located in La Plata County, Colorado, built in 2008. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Ridges Basin Dam
The primary purpose of Ridges Basin Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bureau Of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the Basin Creek near Durango.
The dam stands 273 feet tall and stretches 1,600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,548 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 139,809 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 13 square miles. Completed in 2008, the structure is relatively new.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/28/2023.
At 273 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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.
Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | La Plata |
| Nearest City | Durango |
| River/Stream | Basin Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.21940, -107.89540 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 273 ft |
| Dam Height | 273 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,600 ft |
| Year Completed | 2008 (18 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 139,809 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 139,809 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 121,070 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,548 acres |
| Drainage Area | 13 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | BUREAU OF RECLAMATION |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/28/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02952 |
| Federal ID | CO02952 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |