Churches

RALSTON CREEK-OS· Jefferson, Colorado· Built 1868· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Churches is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1868 and is 158 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 2.9% in CO)
Dam Length930 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage60 acre-ft
Normal Storage48 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge112 cfs
Year Completed1868 (158 years old)
NID IDCO01242

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: January 11, 1980
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

DENVER BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Churches?

Churches 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 Churches?

Churches is owned by DENVER BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Churches built?

Churches was completed in 1868, making it 158 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 Churches?

Churches 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 Churches?

Churches has a dam height of 9 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 Churches last inspected?

Churches was last inspected on January 11, 1980. 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.