Margaret Spurgeon #1 is an earth dam located in Boulder County, Colorado, built in 1963. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 42 ft42 ft tall and 2,800 ft long, taller than 88% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Margaret Spurgeon #1
The primary purpose of Margaret Spurgeon #1 is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Left Hand Water District (jason Whitmore) (public utility). It impounds the Dry Creek-tr near Boulder.
The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 2,800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 18 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 350 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1963, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 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 06/23/2022.
At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 88% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Boulder |
| Nearest City | Boulder |
| River/Stream | Dry Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 40.11010, -105.26433 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 42 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,800 ft |
| Year Completed | 1963 (63 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 350 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 350 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 254 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 18 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,580 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Left Hand Water District (jason Whitmore) |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/23/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00941 |
| Federal ID | CO00941 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |