Lower Beaver Brook

Lower Beaver Brook is a roller-compacted concrete dam located in Clear Creek County, Colorado, built in 2022. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Lower Beaver Brook

The primary purpose of Lower Beaver Brook is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Lookout Mountain Water District (snyder, Dean) (local government). It impounds the Beaver Brook near Golden.

The dam stands 54 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 49 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 2022, the structure is relatively new.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/19/2022.

At 54 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Colorado dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateColorado
CountyClear Creek
Nearest CityGolden
River/StreamBeaver Brook
Coordinates39.70602, -105.41112

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeRoller-Compacted Concrete
NID Height54 ft
Dam Height37 ft
Dam Length200 ft
Year Completed2022 (4 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage49 acre-ft
Max Storage49 acre-ft
Normal Storage29 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge3,300 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerLOOKOUT MOUNTAIN WATER DISTRICT (SNYDER, DEAN)
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection07/19/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCO00187
Federal IDCO00187
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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