South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam

SOUTH BOULDER CREEK· Boulder, Colorado· Built 1936· Concrete· 34 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1936 and is 90 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 34 ft (taller than 74.3% in CO)
Dam Length110 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage30 acre-ft
Normal Storage14 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area107 sq mi
Max Discharge3,850 cfs
Year Completed1936 (90 years old)
NID IDCO02373

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: September 26, 2013
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 South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam?

South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam 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 South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam?

South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam 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 South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam built?

South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam was completed in 1936, making it 90 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 South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam?

South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam 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 South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam?

South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam has a dam height of 34 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 South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam last inspected?

South Boulder Diversion Intake Dam was last inspected on September 26, 2013. 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.