Baseline - Northwest
Key Takeaway
Baseline - Northwest is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1905 and is 121 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 20 ft (taller than 36.1% in CO) |
| Dam Length | 2,650 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 6.6K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 5.3K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 270 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 822 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1905 (121 years old) |
| NID ID | CO02820 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
BASELINE LAND AND RESERVOIR COMPANY (SHORT, DOUGLA
Private
Nearby Dams
Baseline - East
Boulder, CO
High Hazard 40 ftLeggett & Hillcrest
Boulder, CO
High Hazard 28 ftSt. Joe Tailings
Boulder, CO
Low Hazard 37 ftValmont 'A'
Boulder, CO
High Hazard 67 ftHayden
Boulder, CO
High Hazard 27 ftHarper Lake
Boulder, CO
High Hazard 11 ftViele Lake
Boulder, CO
Low Hazard 19 ftMarshall Lake
Boulder, CO
High Hazard 80 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Baseline - Northwest?
Baseline - Northwest is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Baseline - Northwest?
Baseline - Northwest is owned by BASELINE LAND AND RESERVOIR COMPANY (SHORT, DOUGLA (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Baseline - Northwest built?
Baseline - Northwest was completed in 1905, making it 121 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 Baseline - Northwest?
Baseline - Northwest serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Baseline - Northwest?
Baseline - Northwest has a dam height of 20 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 Baseline - Northwest last inspected?
Baseline - Northwest was last inspected on October 25, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.