Taylor Park, located in Gunnison, Colorado, is a federally owned water resource managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. The primary purpose of this Earth dam, completed in 1937, is irrigation, serving the Taylor River with a storage capacity of 118,801 acre-feet. With a structural height of 206 feet and a spillway width of 180 feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water management and flood control in the region.
Despite its age, Taylor Park Dam is well-regulated and inspected by the Bureau of Reclamation, with a high hazard potential due to its proximity to populated areas. The dam has a risk assessment rating of 2, indicating a high level of risk management measures in place. While the condition assessment is not currently available, emergency action plans are in place to ensure the safety of downstream communities in the event of a breach. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Taylor Park Dam to be a fascinating example of historical engineering meeting modern regulatory standards.
Overall, Taylor Park represents a significant water infrastructure project in Colorado, showcasing the intersection of federal ownership, state regulation, and environmental stewardship. With its impressive storage capacity, strategic location, and ongoing risk management efforts, Taylor Park Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.