Barnum Park Lake

WEIR GULCH· Denver, Colorado· Built 1956· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Barnum Park Lake is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 43.8% in CO)
Dam Length1,020 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage105 acre-ft
Normal Storage24 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge2,810 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDCO00262

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: September 25, 1998
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

DENVER WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION (TOM BLACKMA

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Barnum Park Lake?

Barnum Park Lake is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Barnum Park Lake?

Barnum Park Lake is owned by DENVER WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION (TOM BLACKMA (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Barnum Park Lake built?

Barnum Park Lake was completed in 1956, making it 70 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Barnum Park Lake?

Barnum Park Lake serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Barnum Park Lake?

Barnum Park Lake has a dam height of 22 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Barnum Park Lake last inspected?

Barnum Park Lake was last inspected on September 25, 1998. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.