Bull Canal (Main Reservoir)

BIG DRY CREEK-OS· Weld, Colorado· Built 1982· Earth· 35 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1982 and is 44 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 35 ft (taller than 75.7% in CO)
Dam Length10,491 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.0K acre-ft
Surface Area137 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge165 cfs
Year Completed1982 (44 years old)
NID IDCO02666

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 5, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

CITY OF NORTHGLENN (KENT KISSELMAN)

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bull Canal (Main Reservoir)?

Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) 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 Bull Canal (Main Reservoir)?

Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) is owned by CITY OF NORTHGLENN (KENT KISSELMAN) (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) built?

Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) was completed in 1982, making it 44 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 Bull Canal (Main Reservoir)?

Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bull Canal (Main Reservoir)?

Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) has a dam height of 35 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 Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) last inspected?

Bull Canal (Main Reservoir) was last inspected on October 5, 2022. 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.