Standley Lake

BIG DRY CREEK· Jefferson, Colorado· Built 1913· Earth· 113 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Standley Lake is classified as high hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1913 and is 113 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 113 ft (taller than 96.9% in CO)
Dam Length5,900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage54.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage43.3K acre-ft
Surface Area1,222 acres
Drainage Area15 sq mi
Max Discharge54,600 cfs
Year Completed1913 (113 years old)
Year Modified2004
NID IDCO00101

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: June 3, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

FARMERS RESERVOIR AND IRRIGATION COMPANY (EDGAR, S

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Standley Lake?

Standley Lake 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 Standley Lake?

Standley Lake is owned by FARMERS RESERVOIR AND IRRIGATION COMPANY (EDGAR, S (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Standley Lake built?

Standley Lake was completed in 1913, making it 113 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 Standley Lake?

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

How tall is Standley Lake?

Standley Lake has a dam height of 113 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 Standley Lake last inspected?

Standley Lake was last inspected on June 3, 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.