Oberon Lake No. 1

RALSTON CREEK-OS· Jefferson, Colorado· Built 1887· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Oberon Lake No. 1 is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1887 and is 139 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 36.1% in CO)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage69 acre-ft
Normal Storage6 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge203 cfs
Year Completed1887 (139 years old)
NID IDCO01787

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: October 9, 2012
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

CITY OF ARVADA (ESSERT, WENDY)

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Oberon Lake No. 1?

Oberon Lake No. 1 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 Oberon Lake No. 1?

Oberon Lake No. 1 is owned by CITY OF ARVADA (ESSERT, WENDY) (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Oberon Lake No. 1 built?

Oberon Lake No. 1 was completed in 1887, making it 139 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 Oberon Lake No. 1?

Oberon Lake No. 1 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 Oberon Lake No. 1?

Oberon Lake No. 1 has a dam height of 20 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 Oberon Lake No. 1 last inspected?

Oberon Lake No. 1 was last inspected on October 9, 2012. 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.