Lemon Dam

{{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox dam | name = Lemon Dam | name_official = | image = Lemon dam.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = | image_alt = | location_map = | location_map_size = | location_map_caption = | location_map_alt = | coordinates =  | country = United States | location = La Plata County, Colorado | purpose = Irrigation, flood control, hydroelectric generation | status = Operational | construction_began = | opening = 1963 | demolished = | cost = | builder = | designed_by = United States Bureau of Reclamation | owner = | operator = Florida Water Conservancy District| dam_type = | dam_crosses = Florida River | dam_height = {{convert|284|ft|abbr=on}} | dam_height_foundation = | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_length = {{convert|1,360|ft|abbr=on}} | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = | spillway_count = | spillway_type = | spillway_length = | spillway_capacity = | spillway_volumetric_flow_rate = | spillway_type2 = | spillway_length2 = | spillway_capacity2 = | spillway_volumetric_flow_rate2 = | spillway_type3 = | spillway_length3 = | spillway_capacity3 = | spillway_volumetric_flow_rate3 = | res_name = Lemon Reservoir | res_capacity_total = {{convert|40145|acre.ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive = | res_catchment = | res_surface = | res_max_length = | res_max_width = | res_max_depth = | res_elevation = {{convert|2478|m|abbr=on}} <ref>{{gnis|183993}}</ref> | res_tidal_range = | lower_dam_type = | lower_dam_crosses = | lower_dam_height_foundation = | lower_dam_height_thalweg = | lower_dam_length = | lower_dam_elevation_crest = | lower_dam_width_crest = | lower_dam_width_base = | lower_dam_volume = | lower_spillway_count = | lower_spillway_type = | lower_spillway_length = | lower_spillway_capacity = | lower_spillway_volumetric_flow_rate = | lower_spillway_type2 = | lower_spillway_length2 = | lower_spillway_capacity2 = | lower_spillway_volumetric_flow_rate2 = | lower_spillway_type3 = | lower_spillway_length3 = | lower_spillway_capacity3 = | lower_spillway_volumetric_flow_rate3 = | lower_res_name = | lower_res_capacity_total = | lower_res_capacity_active = | lower_res_capacity_inactive = | lower_res_catchment = | lower_res_surface = | lower_res_max_length = | lower_res_max_width = | lower_res_max_depth = | lower_res_elevation = | lower_res_tidal_range = | plant_name = | plant_coordinates =  | plant_operator = | plant_commission = | plant_decommission = | plant_type = | plant_hydraulic_head = | plant_turbines = | plant_pumpgenerators = | plant_pumps = | plant_capacity = 120 kW | plant_capacity_factor = | plant_efficiency = | plant_storage_hours = | plant_annual_gen = | plant_annual_gen_year = | website = | extra = }} thumb|Aerial view of the Lemon Reservoir

'''Lemon Dam''' is an earthen dam, and is a project of the United States Bureau of Reclamation. It was completed in 1963, at {{convert|284|ft}} high and {{convert|1,360|ft}} long at its crest.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Lemon%20Dam |title=Dam details - Lemon Dam - Bureau of Reclamation |access-date=2012-07-27 |archive-date=2012-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925154926/http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Lemon%20Dam |url-status=dead }}</ref> The dam impounds the Florida River for flood control and irrigation water storage, operated by the local Florida Water Conservancy District. 120 kW of hydroelectric power is generated here.

'''Lemon Reservoir''' is about {{convert|3|mi|spell=in}} long, {{convert|1/2|mi|spell=in|sigfig=1}} wide, has a total surface area of {{convert|622|acre}} and a total capacity of {{convert|40145|acre.ft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recreation.gov - Camping, Cabins, RVs, Permits, Passes & More |url=https://www.recreation.gov/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Recreation.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==Climate== Lemon Dam has a humid continental climate(Köppen ''Dfb''). {{Weather box |location = Lemon Dam, Colorado, 1991–2020 normals, 1982-2020 extremes: 8110ft (2472m) |single line = Yes |Jan record high F = 61 |Feb record high F = 61 |Mar record high F = 71 |Apr record high F = 75 |May record high F = 89 |Jun record high F = 90 |Jul record high F = 95 |Aug record high F = 90 |Sep record high F = 89 |Oct record high F = 78 |Nov record high F = 69 |Dec record high F = 62 |year record high F =

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00054934&format=pdf |title = Lemon Dam, Colorado 1991-2020 Monthly Normals |access-date = October 10, 2023 }} </ref> |source 2 = XMACIS2 (records & monthly max/mins)<ref name = XMACIS> {{cite web |url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/ |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = xmACIS |access-date = January 3, 2024 }} </ref> }}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=163 Bureau of Reclamation website for the dam] *[https://waterinfo.org/program-partners/florida-water-conservancy-district/ Florida Water Conservancy District (dam operator)]

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Category:Dams in Colorado Category:Reservoirs in Colorado Category:United States Bureau of Reclamation dams Category:Buildings and structures in La Plata County, Colorado Category:Earth-filled dams Category:Dams completed in 1963 Category:Dams in the Colorado River basin Category:Bodies of water of La Plata County, Colorado Category:1963 establishments in Colorado