USACE John Martin Dam Issue Evaluation Study

John Martin Dam is a high hazard potential dam located on the Arkansas River in Bent County, Colorado, about midway between the communities of Las Animas and Lamar and 58 miles upstream from the Kansas state line. Construction was completed in 1948 and primary project features include zoned earth embankment and concrete gravity dam; gated outlet works, and spillway. The spillway is integral to the concrete gravity dam and gates allow control of larger operational water releases. The project also includes Fort Lyon Protective Works, an earthen embankment located upstream of the dam to reduce flood risk at the Fort during periods of high lake levels. In addition to the project’s main purpose of flood risk reduction, it is authorized for irrigation benefits.