Platte Canyon Intake

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER· Jefferson, Colorado· Built 1964· Gravity· 31 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Platte Canyon Intake is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 31 ft (taller than 68.6% in CO)
Dam Length126 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage30 acre-ft
Normal Storage220 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area2,500 sq mi
Max Discharge2,072 cfs
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDCO02385

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: March 21, 2019
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 Platte Canyon Intake?

Platte Canyon Intake 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 Platte Canyon Intake?

Platte Canyon Intake 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 Platte Canyon Intake built?

Platte Canyon Intake was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Platte Canyon Intake?

Platte Canyon Intake 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 Platte Canyon Intake?

Platte Canyon Intake has a dam height of 31 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 Platte Canyon Intake last inspected?

Platte Canyon Intake was last inspected on March 21, 2019. 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.