Elk Creek Dam No. 9

About Elk Creek Dam No. 9

The primary purpose of Elk Creek Dam No. 9 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 Elk Creek Conservancy District (local government). It impounds the Elk Creek near Pumpkin Center.

The dam stands 48 feet tall and stretches 975 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 48 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,182 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1962, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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 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 01/15/2019.

At 48 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.

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