Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain is an earth dam located in Jefferson County, Colorado, built in 1903. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lookout Mountain
The primary purpose of Lookout Mountain 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 Lookout Mountain Water District (snyder, Dean) (local government). It impounds the Clear Creek-tr near Golden.
The dam stands 60 feet tall and stretches 460 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 128 acre-feet. Completed in 1903, the structure is over a century 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 07/19/2022.
At 60 feet, this dam is taller than 95% 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 | Jefferson |
| Nearest City | Golden |
| River/Stream | Clear Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 39.73068, -105.23796 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 60 ft |
| Dam Height | 60 ft |
| Dam Length | 460 ft |
| Year Completed | 1903 (123 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 128 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 128 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 101 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Max Discharge | 41 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN WATER DISTRICT (SNYDER, DEAN) |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/19/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02088 |
| Federal ID | CO02088 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |