Swede

DRY CREEK· Boulder, Colorado· Built 1930· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Swede is classified as low hazard in Colorado. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 20.1% in CO)
Dam Length1,506 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage263 acre-ft
Normal Storage205 acre-ft
Surface Area26 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge203 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
Year Modified2018
NID IDCO01737

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: August 9, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR

Ownership

BOULDER COUNTY PARKS AND OPEN SPACE (ALEXANDER, RO

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Swede?

Swede 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 Swede?

Swede is owned by BOULDER COUNTY PARKS AND OPEN SPACE (ALEXANDER, RO (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Swede built?

Swede was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Swede?

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

How tall is Swede?

Swede has a dam height of 15 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 Swede last inspected?

Swede was last inspected on August 9, 2018. 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.