Cache La Poudre
Cache La Poudre is an earth dam located in Larimer County, Colorado, built in 1977. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Cache La Poudre
The primary purpose of Cache La Poudre is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Cache La Poudre Reservoir Co. (trowbridge, Dale) (private). It impounds the Cache La Poudre River-tr near Timnath.
The dam stands 60 feet tall and stretches 3,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 612 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 16,200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 20 square miles. Completed in 1977, the structure is 49 years 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 09/20/2022.
At 60 feet, this dam is taller than 95% 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 | Larimer |
| Nearest City | Timnath |
| River/Stream | Cache La Poudre River-tr |
| Coordinates | 40.54087, -104.95920 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 60 ft |
| Dam Height | 43 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1977 (49 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 16,200 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 16,200 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 10,070 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 612 acres |
| Drainage Area | 20 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 34,441 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | CACHE LA POUDRE RESERVOIR CO. (TROWBRIDGE, DALE) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/20/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00851 |
| Federal ID | CO00851 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |