Marston Lake - Northwest Dike
Marston Lake - Northwest Dike is an earth dam located in Denver County, Colorado, built in 1899. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Marston Lake - Northwest Dike
The primary purpose of Marston Lake - Northwest Dike 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 Denver Board Of Water Commissioners (public utility). It impounds the South Platte River-os near Denver.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 4,375 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 652 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 21,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1899, 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 04/06/2022.
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 | Denver |
| Nearest City | Denver |
| River/Stream | South Platte River-os |
| Coordinates | 39.63668, -105.06835 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,375 ft |
| Year Completed | 1899 (127 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 21,100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 21,100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 19,795 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 652 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 220 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | DENVER BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/06/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02800 |
| Federal ID | CO02800 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |