Vallecito Dam

Vallecito Dam (National ID # CO01695) is a dam in La Plata County, Colorado about 18 miles northeast of Durango.

Trees were cleared for the reservoir by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The earthen dam was constructed in 1940 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, with a height of 162 feet, and a length at its crest of 4010 feet. It impounds the Los Pinos River for irrigation water storage. The dam is owned by the Bureau and is operated by the local Pine River Irrigation District.

The reservoir it creates, Vallecito Reservoir, has a water surface of 4.3 sqmi and a maximum capacity of 125400 acre.ft. Recreational opportunities include fishing, hunting, boating, camping and hiking.