Kirkendall, located in Mesa County, Colorado, is a privately owned Earth dam constructed in 1952 for the primary purpose of irrigation along the Leon Creek. With a height of 15 feet and a storage capacity of 280 acre-feet, Kirkendall serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, with a normal storage capacity of 161 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 554 cubic feet per second.

Maintained by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Kirkendall is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently deemed to be in fair condition as of the last assessment in August 2018. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam serves as a crucial infrastructure for managing water resources in the region and mitigating potential flood risks.

Although Kirkendall does not have a Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place or inundation maps prepared, the dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has a spillway width of 38 feet. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the vital role that structures like Kirkendall play in water management and flood control efforts is crucial for safeguarding communities and ecosystems against natural disasters and ensuring sustainable water usage in the face of changing climate patterns.