Horse Creek Dam

Horse Creek Dam Quick Facts

Location: Otero, Colorado
Coordinates: 38.190005, -103.407236
River: Horse Creek-Os River
Primary Purpose: Irrigation
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1900
Dam Height: 30 ft (9 m)
Dam Length: 10,765 ft (3,281 m)
Dam Capacity: 43,125 acre-ft (53,194 Ml)
Hazard Potential: Significant
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Horse Creek Dam Map

Horse Creek Dam Information

Horse Creek Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 12 miles from Las Animas, Otero, Colorado.

The dam, which is on the Horse Creek-Os River, was primarily built for Irrigation purposes, but also serves for benefits.

The dam was designed by USDA NRCS and commissioned in 1900 and is currently owned by FORT LYON CANAL CO..

Horse Creek Dam Structure

The Horse Creek Dam is approximately 10,765 feet (3,281 m) long, 30 feet (9 m) high and has a structural volume of cubic yards (0 cubic metres).

Horse Creek Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 28,746 acre-ft (35,458 Ml) and maximum capacity of 43,125 acre-ft (53,194 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 2,626 acres (1,063 ha) and the total catchment area is 122 square miles (316 square kilometres).

Horse Creek Dam Spillway

The dam has a 325 feet (99 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 5500 cubic feet per second (156 cubic metres per second).

Horse Creek Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Horse Creek Dam
Otero, Colorado
Height (ft)
30
Length (Ft)
10,765
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
43,125
Drainage Area (sq miles)
122
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Horse Creek Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Horse Creek Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 22:25
Sunrise 07:02
Sunset 18:15
Temperature (°F) 47
Feels Like (°F) 41
Cloud Coverage (%) 0
Pressure (inHg) 1028
Humidity (%) 46
Wind Speed (mph) 13
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Horse Creek Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 47 70 67 1022 20 17 27 E 0 - scattered clouds
Wed 45 81 70 1017 18 24 39 SSW 0 - clear sky
Thu 57 80 74 1006 22 31 43 SSW 0 - few clouds
Fri 59 75 71 1005 33 33 44 SSW 0 - scattered clouds
Sat 58 64 60 1015 74 27 40 SSE 100 13 moderate rain
Sun 50 67 59 1015 35 13 18 SE 60 1 light rain
Mon 48 72 62 1016 24 11 24 SE 0 - clear sky
Tue 53 71 64 1019 29 9 18 NNE 0 - clear sky

Horse Creek Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Horse Creek Dam?

Horse Creek Dam is in Colorado.

In which county is the Horse Creek Dam?

Horse Creek Dam is in Otero County.

How high is the Horse Creek Dam?

Horse Creek Dam is 30 feet high.

How long is the Horse Creek Dam?

Horse Creek Dam is 10,765 feet long.

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More Dams in Otero County:

Crooked Arroyo Det Ca-1 Dam
Crooked Arroyo Det Ca-2 Dam
Holbrook Dam
Horse Creek Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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