Cabin Creek Upper
Cabin Creek Upper is a rockfill dam located in Clear Creek County, Colorado, built in 1967. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Cabin Creek Upper
The primary purpose of Cabin Creek Upper is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Public Service Company Of Colorado (public utility). It impounds the South Clear Creek near Georgetown.
The dam stands 210 feet tall and stretches 1,458 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 26 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1967, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 08/03/2022.
At 210 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 | Clear Creek |
| Nearest City | Georgetown |
| River/Stream | South Clear Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.65506, -105.70871 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 210 ft |
| Dam Height | 210 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,458 ft |
| Year Completed | 1967 (59 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 26 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Public Service Company of Colorado |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/03/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO01239 |
| Federal ID | CO01239 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |