Leggett & Hillcrest
Leggett & Hillcrest is an earth dam located in Boulder County, Colorado, built in 1917. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Leggett & Hillcrest
The primary purpose of Leggett & Hillcrest 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 Xcel Energy (private). It impounds the South Boulder Creek-tr near Boulder.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 2,460 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 537 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 15,950 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1917, 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 11/01/2022.
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 | South Boulder Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 40.02555, -105.20855 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,460 ft |
| Year Completed | 1917 (109 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 15,950 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 15,950 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 11,234 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 537 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,752 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | XCEL ENERGY |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/01/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00232 |
| Federal ID | CO00232 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |