Marston Lake - West Dike

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER-OS· Jefferson, Colorado· Built 1899· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Marston Lake - West Dike is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1899 and is 127 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 8.7% in CO)
Dam Length6,875 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage21.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage19.8K acre-ft
Surface Area652 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge220 cfs
Year Completed1899 (127 years old)
NID IDCO02801

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: August 22, 1996
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 Marston Lake - West Dike?

Marston Lake - West Dike 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 Marston Lake - West Dike?

Marston Lake - West Dike 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 Marston Lake - West Dike built?

Marston Lake - West Dike was completed in 1899, making it 127 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 Marston Lake - West Dike?

Marston Lake - West Dike serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Marston Lake - West Dike?

Marston Lake - West Dike 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 Marston Lake - West Dike last inspected?

Marston Lake - West Dike was last inspected on August 22, 1996. 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.