Cabin Creek Upper

South Clear Creek· Clear Creek, Colorado· Built 1967· Rockfill· 210 ft tall
High Hazard Hydroelectric Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Cabin Creek Upper is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. 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 210 ft (taller than 98.8% in CO)
Dam Length1,458 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage1.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.6K acre-ft
Surface Area26 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge100 cfs
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)
NID IDCO01239

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: August 3, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

Public Service Company of Colorado

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cabin Creek Upper?

Cabin Creek Upper 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 Cabin Creek Upper?

Cabin Creek Upper is owned by Public Service Company of Colorado (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cabin Creek Upper built?

Cabin Creek Upper was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Cabin Creek Upper?

Cabin Creek Upper serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cabin Creek Upper?

Cabin Creek Upper has a dam height of 210 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 Cabin Creek Upper last inspected?

Cabin Creek Upper was last inspected on August 3, 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.