Churches

Churches is an earth dam located in Jefferson County, Colorado, built in 1868. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.

About Churches

The primary purpose of Churches is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Denver Board Of Water Commissioners (public utility). It impounds the Ralston Creek-os near Arvada.

The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 930 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. Completed in 1868, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 01/11/1980. That was over 46 years ago.

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Low HazardNot Rated ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateColorado
CountyJefferson
Nearest CityArvada
River/StreamRalston Creek-os
Coordinates39.81668, -105.21890

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height9 ft
Dam Height9 ft
Dam Length930 ft
Year Completed1868 (158 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage60 acre-ft
Max Storage60 acre-ft
Normal Storage48 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Max Discharge112 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeIrrigation
OwnerDENVER BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
Owner TypePublic Utility
Hazard ClassificationLow
Condition AssessmentNot Rated
Last Inspection01/11/1980
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDCO01242
Federal IDCO01242
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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