Sheriff Reservoir provides the sole source of water storage for the Town of Oak Creek. The Town has a
population of 944 and owns the dam and water rights in the reservoir. Three significant dam safety
issues have been identified by the Colorado Division Water Resources (DWR) at this 68-year-old
dam.The spillway capacity is well below the minimum DWR requirements. Sinkholes were identified in
the dam’s foundation, which indicates a potential for dam failure due to foundation erosion. The Town
made temporary sinkhole repairs which are not a permanent solution. The outlet works gate is also
experiencing operational problems due to the age of the outlet gate which is as old as the dam. A
CWCB Loan Feasibility report prepared by the Town’s engineer, W. W. Wheeler & Associates,
Inc.,indicates a total project cost of rehabilitating the dam could be $13 million in 2022 dollars.
Approved: May 2023