St. Marys Lake

St. Marys Lake is an earth dam located in Clear Creek County, Colorado, built in 1889. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.

About St. Marys Lake

The primary purpose of St. Marys Lake 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 Coors Brewing Co. Land & Water Resources (santange (private). It impounds the Silver Creek-os near Idaho Springs.

The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 210 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 51 acre-feet. Completed in 1889, the structure is over a century 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/28/2022.

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Significant HazardNot Rated ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateColorado
CountyClear Creek
Nearest CityIdaho Springs
River/StreamSilver Creek-os
Coordinates39.83263, -105.64544

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height9 ft
Dam Height9 ft
Dam Length210 ft
Year Completed1889 (137 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage51 acre-ft
Max Storage51 acre-ft
Normal Storage38 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Max Discharge220 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerCOORS BREWING CO. LAND & WATER RESOURCES (SANTANGE
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentNot Rated
Last Inspection09/28/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCO01188
Federal IDCO01188
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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