Meadow Creek

MEADOW CREEK· Garfield, Colorado· Built 1958· Earth· 61 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Meadow Creek is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1958 and is 68 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 61 ft (taller than 91.7% in CO)
Dam Length352 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage984 acre-ft
Surface Area55 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge1,833 cfs
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)
NID IDCO00695

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: June 29, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (TAYLOR, MARGARET)

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Meadow Creek?

Meadow Creek 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 Meadow Creek?

Meadow Creek is owned by COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (TAYLOR, MARGARET) (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Meadow Creek built?

Meadow Creek was completed in 1958, making it 68 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 Meadow Creek?

Meadow Creek serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Meadow Creek?

Meadow Creek has a dam height of 61 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 Meadow Creek last inspected?

Meadow Creek was last inspected on June 29, 2022. 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.