Pala Dura is a privately owned earth dam located in Huerfano County, Colorado, serving multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management. Completed in 1979, the dam stands at 20 feet high and stretches 300 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 73 acre-feet. Situated on Palo Duro Creek, this structure plays a crucial role in providing irrigation water to the surrounding area while also contributing to the local ecosystem.

Despite its low hazard potential, Pala Dura poses a high risk due to its outdated risk assessment rating of 2. With a lack of recent inspection data, the condition assessment remains unrated, raising concerns about the overall safety and stability of the dam. While the dam does not have a spillway, it is equipped with outlet gates and a spillway width of 7 feet to manage potential overflow. The Sacramento District of the US Army Corps of Engineers oversees this dam, ensuring that it meets regulatory standards and undergoes necessary inspections to prevent any potential disasters.

Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Pala Dura to be an intriguing case study of a multi-purpose earth dam in Colorado. The dam's location on Palo Duro Creek, its storage capacity, and the associated risk factors make it a valuable subject for those interested in water management, conservation, and infrastructure resilience. As the dam continues to provide vital services to the local community, ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts will be essential to ensure its long-term sustainability and safety in the face of changing environmental conditions.