Barker Meadow
Barker Meadow is a concrete dam located in Boulder County, Colorado, built in 1909. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Barker Meadow
The primary purpose of Barker Meadow is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by City Of Boulder (clark, Kevin) (local government). It impounds the Middle Boulder Creek near Boulder.
The dam stands 184 feet tall and stretches 760 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 200 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 16,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 39 square miles. Completed in 1909, the structure is over a century old.
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 04/13/2022.
At 184 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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.
Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Boulder |
| Nearest City | Boulder |
| River/Stream | Middle Boulder Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.96593, -105.48228 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 184 ft |
| Dam Height | 177 ft |
| Dam Length | 760 ft |
| Year Completed | 1909 (117 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 16,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 16,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 11,200 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 200 acres |
| Drainage Area | 39 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,125 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | CITY OF BOULDER (CLARK, KEVIN) |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/13/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00213 |
| Federal ID | CO00213 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |