Big Beaver

Big Beaver is an earth dam located in Mesa County, Colorado, built in 1947. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Big Beaver

The primary purpose of Big Beaver is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bailey, Ken (private). It impounds the Bull Creek-tr near Molina.

The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 180 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 175 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1947, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/26/2022.

At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 84% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateColorado
CountyMesa
Nearest CityMolina
River/StreamBull Creek-tr
Coordinates39.08333, -108.03390

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height37 ft
Dam Height30 ft
Dam Length180 ft
Year Completed1947 (79 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage175 acre-ft
Max Storage175 acre-ft
Normal Storage128 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge413 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeIrrigation
OwnerBAILEY, KEN
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection07/26/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCO00946
Federal IDCO00946
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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