Floodwater Ret. B-3
Key Takeaway
Floodwater Ret. B-3 is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 | 50 ft (taller than 88.1% in CO) |
| Dam Length | 3,000 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 6.0K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3.8K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 272 acres |
| Drainage Area | 60 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 17,000 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1979 (47 years old) |
| NID ID | CO00512 |
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
NORTH POUDRE IRR. CO. (MOEN, TAD)
Private
Nearby Dams
Floodwater Ret. B-4
Larimer, CO
High Hazard 28 ftRawhide
Larimer, CO
High Hazard 90 ftBox Elder #5
Larimer, CO
Low Hazard 10 ftIndian Creek
Larimer, CO
High Hazard 34 ftNorth Poudre #11
Larimer, CO
Low Hazard 8 ftClarks Lake
Larimer, CO
Significant Hazard 26 ftBarrett
Larimer, CO
Low Hazard 24 ftBox Elder #1
Larimer, CO
Low Hazard 9 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Floodwater Ret. B-3?
Floodwater Ret. B-3 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 Floodwater Ret. B-3?
Floodwater Ret. B-3 is owned by NORTH POUDRE IRR. CO. (MOEN, TAD) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Floodwater Ret. B-3 built?
Floodwater Ret. B-3 was completed in 1979, making it 47 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 Floodwater Ret. B-3?
Floodwater Ret. B-3 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Floodwater Ret. B-3?
Floodwater Ret. B-3 has a dam height of 50 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 Floodwater Ret. B-3 last inspected?
Floodwater Ret. B-3 was last inspected on September 8, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.