GENERAL37257

• Permit No: M1988112
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

T Iris pamphlet provides general information related to the requirements
for construction and administration of darns in Colorado. Colorado laws,
governing dams and reservoirs, were enacted for protection of lives and
property due to potential risks associated with the capture oC water in the
reservoir behind a dam. However, the owner is responsible for safe storage of
water impounded behind the dam.
Dams arc placed in five separate categories based on speck construction and
administrative requirements. The five types of dams are as follows:
• Jurisdictional Dams
•Non-Jurisdictional Dams
• Livestock Water Tanks
• Erosion Control Dams
• Exempt Structures
Typical requirements for constructing a dam include obtaining a permit,
approval of the State Engineer for construction or repair a dam, and
certification of the construction. Additional requirements may include seeking
a water right and complying with laws governing administration of the water
right.
S pacific requirements for each type of dam are set forth in state statutes.
The statutes arc contained in the Colorado Revised Statues, C.R.S.
Jurisdictional, Non-Jurisdictional, Exempt Structures, and Erosion
Control dams are governed by the following:
• Section 37-87.101 thru 125 C.R.S. (1973)(Current Supp.)
• Rules & Regulations far Dam Safety and Dam Construction
Livestock Water Tanks are regulated by:
• Section 35- 49-101 thru l ib C.R.S. (1973)(Cturent Supp.)
The Division Engineer in charge of each Water Division has additional related
authorities under the following statues:
J UI'ISt~ICl70I18I D8O1S are structures having a height re eater than
10 feel to the spillway crest, or stores more than 100 acre-(eat of water, or
covers more than 20 acres at the high waterline. The height is measured
vertically at the centerline of the dam's crest, from the lowest point in the
natural stream channel or ground surface to the crest of the spillway. The
drawing on the following page illustrates the height measurement and other
features of a dam.
To construct a new jurisdictional dam, repair, alter, or modify an existing
jurisdictional dam the Slate Engineer must be provided a detailed set of plar~
and specifications for the construction. The State Engineer is responsible fo
reviewing and approving the plans and specifications before construction
begins. The plans and specifications must be prepared by a registered
professional engineer licensed in Colorado and familiar with current practices
of dam design and construction. A design report must also accompany the
plans and specifications.
The plans are engineering drawings showing complete details of all aspects of
the construction and features of the dam. The specifications are a written
description of the materials, the processes used in construction, and the field
testing necessary to ensure the quality of construction meets specific
engineering standards. The design report includes documentation and
calculations to support the design.
The plans, specifications, and design report are accompanied by an application
form and a filing fee. The application form is available at the Office of the •
State Engineer, in Denver, or any of the Water Division Offices.
The filing tee is calculated based on the estimated cost of construction. The
required fee is calculated at a rate of 53.00 per $1,000 of the estimated cost or
fraction there of, but not less than $100.00 or more than $3,000.
Scheduled visits by a state inspector will be performed dur'ng const:,rctio.^^. to
check the progress of work and insure compliance with the approved plans. A
final inspection must be performed and construction certified by the owner's
engineer before water may be stored.
• Section 37-84-Inclusive C.RS. (1973)(Cunent Supp.)
• Section 37-92-Inclusive C.R.S. (1973)(Current Supp)