Located in Las Animas, Colorado, the Dawn dam is a private structure primarily used for recreation and irrigation purposes. Built in 1965, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 14 feet, with a hydraulic height of 17 feet, and a length of 75 feet. It has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 560 acres along Adobe Creek.

Despite being categorized as having low hazard potential, the Dawn dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the Colorado Department of Water Resources. With a normal storage capacity of 65 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 9112 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in water management in the region. Its risk assessment is deemed high, necessitating ongoing risk management measures to ensure its safety and stability for the surrounding community and ecosystem.