East Lake #3

BRANTNER GULCH-TR· Adams, Colorado· Built 1887· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

East Lake #3 is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1887 and is 139 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 8.7% in CO)
Dam Length2,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage790 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area35 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge7,894 cfs
Year Completed1887 (139 years old)
NID IDCO02111

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 24, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

CITY OF THORNTON

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of East Lake #3?

East Lake #3 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 East Lake #3?

East Lake #3 is owned by CITY OF THORNTON (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was East Lake #3 built?

East Lake #3 was completed in 1887, making it 139 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 East Lake #3?

East Lake #3 serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is East Lake #3?

East Lake #3 has a dam height of 11 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 East Lake #3 last inspected?

East Lake #3 was last inspected on September 24, 2013. 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.