Walton Det. #1, located in Las Animas, Colorado, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1964 by USDA NRCS. The dam stands at a height of 32 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Chico Rica Creek. With a storage capacity of 109 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2826 cubic feet per second, Walton Det. #1 plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating potential flooding in the area.

Although last inspected in 1998, this low hazard potential dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite its moderate risk level, Walton Det. #1 has not had an emergency action plan (EAP) in place or updated inundation maps prepared. With its uncontrolled spillway and a surface area of 14 acres, this dam presents an opportunity for further risk assessment and the implementation of risk management measures to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood risk reduction. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Walton Det. #1 to be an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure and water management practices.