Oklahoma Lake

BIG THOMPSON RIVER· Weld, Colorado· Built 1891· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Oklahoma Lake is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1891 and is 135 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 29.2% in CO)
Dam Length92 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage493 acre-ft
Normal Storage493 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge150 cfs
Year Completed1891 (135 years old)
Year Modified2004
NID IDCO01760

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: July 19, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

BIG CUT LATERAL & RESERVOIR COMPANY (CODY WOOLDRID

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Oklahoma Lake?

Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma Lake?

Oklahoma Lake is owned by BIG CUT LATERAL & RESERVOIR COMPANY (CODY WOOLDRID (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Oklahoma Lake built?

Oklahoma Lake was completed in 1891, making it 135 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 Oklahoma Lake?

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

How tall is Oklahoma Lake?

Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma Lake last inspected?

Oklahoma Lake was last inspected on July 19, 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.