Dams of the Colorado River: A Comprehensive Guide

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Key Takeaways

  • The Hoover Dam is the tallest dam on the Colorado River, standing at an impressive 730 feet (223 meters) high.
  • The Glen Canyon Dam is the second-tallest at 710 feet (216 meters), followed by the Parker Dam at 320 feet (98 meters).
  • Many of these dams serve multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, water supply, flood control, and recreation.
  • The Hoover Dam and Glen Canyon Dam are among the most iconic dams in the United States, attracting millions of visitors annually.
  • Several dams on the Colorado River are owned and operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, while others are managed by state agencies or municipalities.

Dams of the Colorado River by Height

  1. Hoover Dam – 730 feet (223 meters)
  2. Glen Canyon Dam – 710 feet (216 meters)
  3. Parker Dam – 320 feet (98 meters)
  4. Granby Dam – 298 feet (91 meters)
  5. Mansfield Dam – 277 feet (84 meters)
  6. Davis Bor Dam – 200 feet (61 meters)
  7. Paonia Dam – 199 feet (61 meters)
  8. Simon Freese Dam – 149 feet (45 meters)
  9. Buchanan Dam – 146 feet (45 meters)
  10. Robert Lee Dam – 140 feet (43 meters)
  11. Wirtz Dam – 118 feet (36 meters)
  12. Lake Jb Thomas Dam – 105 feet (32 meters)
  13. Max Starcke Dam – 99 feet (30 meters)
  14. Lcra Inks Dam – 97 feet (29 meters)
  15. Tom Miller Dam – 85 feet (26 meters)
  16. Imperial Diversion Dam – 85 feet (26 meters)
  17. Longhorn Dam – 65 feet (20 meters)
  18. Shadow Mountain Dam – 63 feet (19 meters)
  19. Lyman Dam – 60 feet (18 meters)

1. Hoover Dam

  • Height: 730 feet (223 meters)
  • Location: Located about 70 miles from Laughlin, Clark, Nevada
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric, Irrigation, Water Supply
  • Owner: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Specifications:
    • Concrete arch gravity dam
    • Dam length: 1,244 feet (379 meters)
    • Volume: 3,250,000 cubic yards (2,484,804 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1935
    • Maximum storage: 30,237,000 acre-feet (37,296,735 million liters)
    • Spillway: 400 feet (122 meters) wide, controlled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 200,000 cubic feet per second (5,663 cubic meters per second)

The Hoover Dam is a true engineering marvel and one of the most iconic dams in the world. Constructed during the Great Depression, this massive concrete arch gravity dam stands tall at 730 feet and spans the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. It was primarily built for hydroelectric power generation, but also serves irrigation and water supply purposes. The dam’s impressive statistics, such as its length of over 1,200 feet and a volume of over 3 million cubic yards of concrete, highlight its grand scale.

2. Glen Canyon Dam

  • Height: 710 feet (216 meters)
  • Location: Located about 15 miles from Lees Ferry, Coconino, Arizona
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric, Irrigation, Recreation
  • Owner: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Specifications:
    • Concrete arch dam
    • Dam length: 1,565 feet (477 meters)
    • Volume: 4,901,000 cubic yards (3,747,084 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1963
    • Maximum storage: 29,875,000 acre-feet (36,850,215 million liters)
    • Spillway: 160 feet (49 meters) wide, controlled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 276,000 cubic feet per second (7,815 cubic meters per second)

The Glen Canyon Dam is the second-tallest dam on the Colorado River, standing at an impressive 710 feet. This concrete arch dam was primarily built for hydroelectric power generation, but it also serves irrigation and recreation purposes. With a dam length of over 1,500 feet and a massive volume of nearly 5 million cubic yards of concrete, the Glen Canyon Dam is a true engineering feat. Its controlled spillway can handle a maximum discharge of 276,000 cubic feet per second, showcasing its impressive flood control capabilities.

3. Parker Dam

  • Height: 320 feet (98 meters)
  • Location: Located about 12 miles from Parker, La Paz, Arizona
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric, Irrigation, Water Supply
  • Owner: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Specifications:
    • Concrete arch dam
    • Dam length: 856 feet (261 meters)
    • Volume: 380,000 cubic yards (290,531 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1938
    • Maximum storage: 180,000 acre-feet (222,026 million liters)
    • Spillway: 250 feet (76 meters) wide, controlled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 314,000 cubic feet per second (8,891 cubic meters per second)

The Parker Dam is the third-tallest dam on the Colorado River, standing at 320 feet. This concrete arch dam, located about 12 miles from Parker, Arizona, was primarily built for hydroelectric power generation, but it also serves irrigation and water supply purposes. With a dam length of 856 feet and a volume of 380,000 cubic yards of concrete, the Parker Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its controlled spillway can handle a maximum discharge of 314,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

4. Granby Dam

  • Height: 298 feet (91 meters)
  • Location: Located about 8 miles from Granby, Grand, Colorado
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric, Irrigation
  • Owner: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Specifications:
    • Earthen embankment dam
    • Dam length: 880 feet (268 meters)
    • Volume: 2,974,000 cubic yards (2,273,787 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1949
    • Maximum storage: 539,760 acre-feet (665,783 million liters)
    • Spillway: 40 feet (12 meters) wide, controlled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 12,000 cubic feet per second (340 cubic meters per second)

The Granby Dam is an earthen embankment dam standing at 298 feet tall, located about 8 miles from Granby, Colorado. This dam was primarily built for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation purposes by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. With a dam length of 880 feet and a volume of nearly 3 million cubic yards of earth, the Granby Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its controlled spillway can handle a maximum discharge of 12,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

5. Mansfield Dam

  • Height: 277 feet (84 meters)
  • Location: Located about 18 miles from Austin, Travis, Texas
  • Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation, Hydroelectric, Water Supply
  • Owner: Lower Colorado River Authority
  • Specifications:
    • Earth rockfill gravity dam
    • Dam length: 7,089 feet (2,161 meters)
    • Volume: 33,890,000 cubic yards (25,910,769 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1942
    • Maximum storage: 3,223,000 acre-feet (3,975,506 million liters)
    • Spillway: Maximum discharge capacity of 608,000 cubic feet per second (17,217 cubic meters per second)

The Mansfield Dam is an earth rockfill gravity dam standing at 277 feet tall, located about 18 miles from Austin, Texas. This dam was primarily built for flood risk reduction, but it also serves irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply purposes. Owned by the Lower Colorado River Authority, the Mansfield Dam boasts an impressive dam length of over 7,000 feet and a massive volume of nearly 34 million cubic yards of earth and rockfill. Its spillway has a maximum discharge capacity of 608,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

6. Davis Bor Dam

  • Height: 200 feet (61 meters)
  • Location: Located about 4 miles from Bullhead City, Mohave, Arizona
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric
  • Owner: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Specifications:
    • Earthen embankment dam
    • Dam length: 1,600 feet (488 meters)
    • Volume: 3,642,000 cubic yards (2,784,509 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1952
    • Maximum storage: 1,592,300 acre-feet (1,964,070 million liters)
    • Spillway: 150 feet (46 meters) wide, controlled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 216,000 cubic feet per second (6,116 cubic meters per second)

The Davis Bor Dam is an earthen embankment dam standing at 200 feet tall, located about 4 miles from Bullhead City, Arizona. This dam was primarily built for hydroelectric power generation by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. With a dam length of 1,600 feet and a volume of over 3.6 million cubic yards of earth, the Davis Bor Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its controlled spillway can handle a maximum discharge of 216,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

7. Paonia Dam

  • Height: 199 feet (61 meters)
  • Location: Located about 7 miles from Somerset, Gunnison, Colorado
  • Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation, Recreation
  • Owner: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Specifications:
    • Earthen embankment dam
    • Dam length: 770 feet (235 meters)
    • Volume: 1,302,000 cubic yards (995,451 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1961
    • Maximum storage: 23,230 acre-feet (28,654 million liters)
    • Spillway: 30 feet (9 meters) wide, uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 12,500 cubic feet per second (354 cubic meters per second)

The Paonia Dam is an earthen embankment dam standing at 199 feet tall, located about 7 miles from Somerset, Colorado. This dam was primarily built for flood risk reduction, but it also serves irrigation and recreation purposes by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. With a dam length of 770 feet and a volume of over 1.3 million cubic yards of earth, the Paonia Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its uncontrolled spillway can handle a maximum discharge of 12,500 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

8. Simon Freese Dam

  • Height: 149 feet (45 meters)
  • Location: Located in Coleman County, Texas
  • Purpose: Water Supply, Recreation
  • Owner: Colorado River Municipal Water District
  • Specifications:
    • Concrete earth dam
    • Dam length: 9,950 feet (3,033 meters)
    • Volume: 24,720,500 cubic yards (18,900,182 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1989
    • Maximum storage: 1,235,813 acre-feet (1,524,351 million liters)
    • Spillway: Maximum discharge capacity of 1,947,001 cubic feet per second (55,133 cubic meters per second)

The Simon Freese Dam is a concrete earth dam standing at 149 feet tall, located in Coleman County, Texas. This dam was primarily built for water supply, but it also serves recreation purposes. Owned by the Colorado River Municipal Water District, the Simon Freese Dam boasts an impressive dam length of nearly 10,000 feet and a massive volume of over 24 million cubic yards of concrete and earth. Its spillway has a remarkable maximum discharge capacity of nearly 2 million cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

9. Buchanan Dam

  • Height: 146 feet (45 meters)
  • Location: Located about 20 miles from Marble Falls, Burnet, Texas
  • Purpose: Irrigation, Hydroelectric, Water Supply
  • Owner: Lower Colorado River Authority
  • Specifications:
    • Earth multi-arch gravity dam
    • Dam length: 10,987 feet (3,349 meters)
    • Year completed: 1937
    • Maximum storage: 1,180,000 acre-feet (1,455,506 million liters)
    • Spillway: Maximum discharge capacity of 247,800 cubic feet per second (7,017 cubic meters per second)

The Buchanan Dam is an earth multi-arch gravity dam standing at 146 feet tall, located about 20 miles from Marble Falls, Texas. This dam was primarily built for irrigation, but it also serves hydroelectric power generation and water supply purposes. Owned by the Lower Colorado River Authority.

10. Robert Lee Dam

  • Height: 140 feet (43 meters)
  • Location: Located about 1 mile from Robert Lee, Coke, Texas
  • Purpose: Water Supply, Recreation
  • Owner: Colorado River Municipal Water District
  • Specifications:
    • Earthen embankment dam
    • Dam length: 18,300 feet (5,578 meters)
    • Volume: 41,082,000 cubic yards (31,409,449 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1969
    • Maximum storage: 1,139,200 acre-feet (1,405,180 million liters)
    • Spillway: Maximum discharge capacity of 607,000 cubic feet per second (17,188 cubic meters per second)

The Robert Lee Dam is an earthen embankment dam standing at 140 feet tall, located about 1 mile from Robert Lee, Texas. This dam was primarily built for water supply, but it also serves recreation purposes by the Colorado River Municipal Water District. With a dam length of over 18,000 feet and a massive volume of over 41 million cubic yards of earth, the Robert Lee Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its spillway has a maximum discharge capacity of 607,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

11. Wirtz Dam

  • Height: 118 feet (36 meters)
  • Location: Located about 4 miles from Marble Falls, Burnet, Texas
  • Purpose: Irrigation, Recreation, Hydroelectric
  • Owner: Lower Colorado River Authority
  • Specifications:
    • Earth gravity dam
    • Dam length: 5,687 feet (1,733 meters)
    • Year completed: 1951
    • Maximum storage: 223,000 acre-feet (275,066 million liters)
    • Spillway: 629 feet (192 meters) wide, controlled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 269,000 cubic feet per second (7,617 cubic meters per second)

The Wirtz Dam is an earth gravity dam standing at 118 feet tall, located about 4 miles from Marble Falls, Texas. This dam was primarily built for irrigation, but it also serves recreation and hydroelectric power generation purposes by the Lower Colorado River Authority. With a dam length of over 5,600 feet, the Wirtz Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its controlled spillway, spanning 629 feet wide, can handle a maximum discharge of 269,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

12. Lake JB Thomas Dam

  • Height: 105 feet (32 meters)
  • Location: Located about 50 miles from Colorado City, Scurry, Texas
  • Purpose: Water Supply, Recreation
  • Owner: Colorado River Municipal Water District
  • Specifications:
    • Earthen embankment dam
    • Dam length: 9,200 feet (2,804 meters)
    • Year completed: 1952
    • Maximum storage: 430,600 acre-feet (531,136 million liters)
    • Spillway: 1,833.5 feet (559 meters) wide, uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 161,002 cubic feet per second (4,559 cubic meters per second)

The Lake Jb Thomas Dam is an earthen embankment dam standing at 105 feet tall, located about 50 miles from Colorado City, Texas. This dam was primarily built for water supply, but it also serves recreation purposes by the Colorado River Municipal Water District. With a dam length of over 9,000 feet, the Lake Jb Thomas Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its uncontrolled spillway, spanning an impressive 1,833.5 feet wide, can handle a maximum discharge of 161,002 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

13. Max Starcke Dam

  • Height: 99 feet (30 meters)
  • Location: Located about 32 miles from Austin, Burnet, Texas
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric, Recreation, Water Supply
  • Owner: Lower Colorado River Authority
  • Specifications:
    • Gravity dam
    • Dam length: 896 feet (273 meters)
    • Year completed: 1951
    • Maximum storage: 8,760 acre-feet (10,805 million liters)
    • Spillway: 608 feet (185 meters) wide, controlled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 421,000 cubic feet per second (11,921 cubic meters per second)

The Max Starcke Dam is a gravity dam standing at 99 feet tall, located about 32 miles from Austin, Texas. This dam was primarily built for hydroelectric power generation, but it also serves recreation and water supply purposes by the Lower Colorado River Authority. With a dam length of 896 feet, the Max Starcke Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its controlled spillway, spanning 608 feet wide, can handle a maximum discharge of 421,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

14. LCRA Inks Dam

  • Height: 97 feet (29 meters)
  • Location: Located about 12 miles from Marble Falls, Burnet, Texas
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric, Recreation
  • Owner: Lower Colorado River Authority
  • Specifications:
    • Gravity dam
    • Dam length: 1,550 feet (472 meters)
    • Year completed: 1938
    • Maximum storage: 63,500 acre-feet (78,326 million liters)
    • Spillway: Maximum discharge capacity of 1,211,097 cubic feet per second (34,294 cubic meters per second)

The LCRA Inks Dam is a gravity dam standing at 97 feet tall, located about 12 miles from Marble Falls, Texas. This dam was primarily built for hydroelectric power generation, but it also serves recreation purposes by the Lower Colorado River Authority. With a dam length of 1,550 feet, the Lcra Inks Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its spillway has a remarkable maximum discharge capacity of over 1.2 million cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

15. Tom Miller Dam

  • Height: 85 feet (26 meters)
  • Location: Located in Travis County, Texas
  • Purpose: Irrigation, Recreation, Hydroelectric, Water Supply
  • Owner: City of Austin
  • Specifications:
    • Concrete gravity dam
    • Dam length: 1,395 feet (425 meters)
    • Year completed: 1939
    • Maximum storage: 115,404 acre-feet (142,349 million liters)
    • Spillway: Maximum discharge capacity of 1,517,697 cubic feet per second (42,976 cubic meters per second)

The Tom Miller Dam is a concrete gravity dam standing at 85 feet tall, located in Travis County, Texas. This dam was primarily built for irrigation, but it also serves recreation, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply purposes by the City of Austin. With a dam length of 1,395 feet, the Tom Miller Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its spillway has an impressive maximum discharge capacity of over 1.5 million cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

16. Imperial Diversion Dam

  • Height: 85 feet (26 meters)
  • Location: Located about 20 miles from Yuma, Imperial, California
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Owner: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Specifications:
    • Buttress concrete other dam
    • Dam length: 3,475 feet (1,059 meters)
    • Volume: 196,800 cubic yards (150,464 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1937
    • Maximum storage: 160,000 acre-feet (197,357 million liters)
    • Spillway: Maximum discharge capacity of 180,000 cubic feet per second (5,097 cubic meters per second)

The Imperial Diversion Dam is a buttress concrete other dam standing at 85 feet tall, located about 20 miles from Yuma, California. This dam was primarily built for irrigation purposes by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. With a dam length of 3,475 feet and a volume of 196,800 cubic yards of concrete, the Imperial Diversion Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its spillway has a maximum discharge capacity of 180,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

17. Longhorn Dam

  • Height: 65 feet (20 meters)
  • Location: Located in Austin, Travis, Texas
  • Purpose: Recreation, Other
  • Owner: City of Austin
  • Specifications:
    • Earth gravity dam
    • Dam length: 1,240 feet (378 meters)
    • Year completed: 1960
    • Maximum storage: 6,850 acre-feet (8,449 million liters)
    • Spillway: Maximum discharge capacity of 859,400 cubic feet per second (24,335 cubic meters per second)

The Longhorn Dam is an earth gravity dam standing at 65 feet tall, located in Austin, Texas. This dam was primarily built for recreation, but it also serves other purposes by the City of Austin. With a dam length of 1,240 feet, the Longhorn Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its spillway has a remarkable maximum discharge capacity of over 859,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

18. Shadow Mountain Dam

  • Height: 63 feet (19 meters)
  • Location: Located about 12 miles from Granby, Grand, Colorado
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Owner: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Specifications:
    • Earthen embankment dam
    • Dam length: 3,077 feet (938 meters)
    • Volume: 167,000 cubic yards (127,681 cubic meters)
    • Year completed: 1945
    • Maximum storage: 18,369 acre-feet (22,658 million liters)
    • Spillway: 40 feet (12 meters) wide, controlled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 10,000 cubic feet per second (283 cubic meters per second)

The Shadow Mountain Dam is an earthen embankment dam standing at 63 feet tall, located about 12 miles from Granby, Colorado. This dam was primarily built for irrigation purposes by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. With a dam length of over 3,000 feet and a volume of 167,000 cubic yards of earth, the Shadow Mountain Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its controlled spillway, spanning 40 feet wide, can handle a maximum discharge of 10,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

19. Lyman Dam

  • Height: 60 feet (18 meters)
  • Location: Located about 16 miles from St. Johns, Greenlee, Arizona
  • Purpose: Irrigation, Recreation
  • Owner: Arizona State Parks, Grovers Hill Irrigation District
  • Specifications:
    • Rockfill dam
    • Dam length: 800 feet (244 meters)
    • Year completed: 1912
    • Maximum storage: 44,500 acre-feet (54,890 million liters)
    • Spillway: 160 feet (49 meters) wide, uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 15,000 cubic feet per second (425 cubic meters per second)

The Lyman Dam is a rockfill dam standing at 60 feet tall, located about 16 miles from St. Johns, Arizona. This dam was primarily built for irrigation, but it also serves recreation purposes by the Arizona State Parks and Grovers Hill Irrigation District. With a dam length of 800 feet, the Lyman Dam is a significant structure in the region. Its uncontrolled spillway, spanning 160 feet wide, can handle a maximum discharge of 15,000 cubic feet per second, providing essential flood control capabilities.

Final Words

This comprehensive guide provides detailed information about the various dams along the Colorado River, including their height, location, purpose, ownership, and technical specifications. These dams play crucial roles in hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, water supply, flood control, and recreation, making them essential structures for the communities and economies they serve. From the iconic Hoover Dam to the smaller but equally important dams like Lyman Dam, each of these structures represents a remarkable feat of engineering and a testament to humanity’s ability to harness the power of water.

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