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.
Dam profile
NID height · 37 ft37 ft tall and 180 ft long, taller than 83% 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 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 83% of dams nationwide.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Mesa |
| Nearest City | Molina |
| River/Stream | Bull Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 39.08333, -108.03390 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 180 ft |
| Year Completed | 1947 (79 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 175 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 175 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 128 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 413 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Bailey, Ken |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/26/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO00946 |
| Federal ID | CO00946 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |