Shirkey, Pearl Det. #1 is a private earth dam located in Elbert, Colorado, designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1969 for flood risk reduction on Middle Bijou Creek. With a height of 25 feet and a storage capacity of 158 acre-feet, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, or small fish pond, in addition to flood risk reduction. Despite being classified as low hazard potential, it is considered to have a high risk level of 2 due to its condition assessment not being rated.

Located in the Omaha District, Shirkey, Pearl Det. #1 has a structural height of 30 feet and a hydraulic height of 27 feet, with a drainage area of 1 square mile. While it has not been inspected since July 1991 and lacks a condition assessment, it is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a maximum discharge capacity of 3,823 cubic feet per second and a normal storage capacity of 103 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.

Overall, Shirkey, Pearl Det. #1 stands as a vital infrastructure for water resource management and flood risk reduction in Elbert County, Colorado. With its location on Middle Bijou Creek and its purposeful design by the USDA NRCS, this private earth dam highlights the importance of sustainable water infrastructure for climate resilience and disaster preparedness in the region. Despite its age and lack of recent inspections, efforts to maintain and monitor this dam are essential to ensure its continued effectiveness in safeguarding the local community and environment.