Mesa Park

FOURMILE CANYON CREEK-TR· Boulder, Colorado· Built 1907· Earth· 23 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mesa Park is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1907 and is 119 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 23 ft (taller than 47.2% in CO)
Dam Length1,245 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage260 acre-ft
Normal Storage120 acre-ft
Surface Area21 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge3,480 cfs
Year Completed1907 (119 years old)
NID IDCO00243

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: August 23, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

CITY OF BOULDER/OPEN SPACE (BRAUTIGAM, JANE)

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mesa Park?

Mesa Park 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 Mesa Park?

Mesa Park is owned by CITY OF BOULDER/OPEN SPACE (BRAUTIGAM, JANE) (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mesa Park built?

Mesa Park was completed in 1907, making it 119 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 Mesa Park?

Mesa Park serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Mesa Park?

Mesa Park has a dam height of 23 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 Mesa Park last inspected?

Mesa Park was last inspected on August 23, 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.