Ralston is an earth dam located in Jefferson County, Colorado, built in 1937. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 204 ft204 ft tall and 1,170 ft long, taller than 99% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against the Statue of Liberty, 305 ft ground to torch; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Ralston
The primary purpose of Ralston 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 Denver Board of Water Commissioners (public utility). It impounds the Ralston Creek near Arvada.
The dam stands 204 feet tall and stretches 1,170 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 160 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 15,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 46 square miles. Completed in 1937, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 04/21/2022.
At 204 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 | Jefferson |
| Nearest City | Arvada |
| River/Stream | Ralston Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.83136, -105.24118 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 204 ft |
| Dam Height | 180 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,170 ft |
| Year Completed | 1937 (89 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 15,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 15,900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 10,749 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 160 acres |
| Drainage Area | 46 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 37,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Denver Board of Water Commissioners |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/21/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00205 |
| Federal ID | CO00205 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |