History of DeWeese Reservoir Dam Construction

 Dall DeWeese and C.R.C. Dye incorporated the DeWeese-Dye Ditch and Reservoir Company to bring water from Grape Creek to the Lincoln Park property they owned and were planning on developing called “Fruitland”.  They proceeded to construct the ditch.   .

 They soon realized there was not enough water in Grape Creek to maintain irrigation in the late summer and fall.  In 1902 they started  construction on a dam north east of Westcliffe Colorado which was to be called Lake DeWeese. 

 During the 1930’s there were two six foot additions to the top of the dam to enlarge the lake and store more water. 

  The work was done with prison labor from the State  Prison in Canon City.

   The State Engineer condemned the top twelve feet of the dam and was going to restrict storage to the level of the original dam.   

 The decision was made by the shareholders to borrow money to reconstruct the top twelve feet of the dam.  The project was estimated to cost $850,000 and ultimately cost $1.2 million.  

 The company continues to make improvements to the system as funds allow and currently provides irrigation water to about seven hundred and thirty-five shareholders.