Trinidad Dam, also known as Trinidad Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Las Animas, Colorado, along the Purgatoire River. Completed in 1976, this earth dam stands at 203 feet high and serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, irrigation, and recreation. With a storage capacity of 164,930 acre-feet, Trinidad Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.

Despite its success in reducing flooding, the dam still poses a high hazard potential due to the risk of uncontrolled spillway flows during emergency operations. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) actively manages this risk through regular inspections, maintenance activities, and risk communication efforts. A comprehensive risk assessment conducted in 2018 classified the likelihood of a dam breach as low, but emphasized the potential catastrophic consequences for downstream communities in the event of a breach.

USACE's risk management measures for Trinidad Dam include ongoing evaluations, maintenance activities, and communication efforts to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. With a focus on reducing flood risks and ensuring public safety, Trinidad Dam remains a critical component of water resource management in the region while facing the challenges posed by potential emergency situations.