Chase Gulch
Chase Gulch is a rockfill dam located in Gilpin County, Colorado, built in 1996. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Chase Gulch
The primary purpose of Chase Gulch 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 City Of Central City (beard, Jack) (local government). It impounds the Chase Gulch near Black Hawk.
The dam stands 100 feet tall and stretches 589 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,250 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1996, the structure is 30 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 07/06/2022.
At 100 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Gilpin |
| Nearest City | Black Hawk |
| River/Stream | Chase Gulch |
| Coordinates | 39.81655, -105.52972 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 100 ft |
| Dam Height | 93 ft |
| Dam Length | 589 ft |
| Year Completed | 1996 (30 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,250 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,250 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 602 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,664 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF CENTRAL CITY (BEARD, JACK) |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/06/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02786 |
| Federal ID | CO02786 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |