Howards Lake

OWL CREEK· Weld, Colorado· Built 1920· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Howards Lake is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 29.2% in CO)
Dam Length1,800 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage506 acre-ft
Normal Storage115 acre-ft
Surface Area36 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge30 cfs
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
NID IDCO02328

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: April 22, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

AURORA ORGANIC DAIRY (BRIAN ENGLAND)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Howards Lake?

Howards Lake 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 Howards Lake?

Howards Lake is owned by AURORA ORGANIC DAIRY (BRIAN ENGLAND) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Howards Lake built?

Howards Lake was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 Howards Lake?

Howards Lake 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 Howards Lake?

Howards Lake has a dam height of 18 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 Howards Lake last inspected?

Howards Lake was last inspected on April 22, 2021. 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.