Barker Meadow dam
Barker Meadow
Barker Meadow is a captivating hydroelectric dam nestled in Boulder, Colorado, along the scenic Middle Boulder Creek. Completed in 1909, this concrete gravity dam stands at an impressive height of 177 feet and boasts a storage capacity of 16,600 acre-feet, making it a vital water resource for the region. With a primary purpose of hydroelectric generation and water supply, Barker Meadow plays a crucial role in providing sustainable energy and water to the local community.
Managed by local government authorities and regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Barker Meadow undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains satisfactory, with a moderate risk level. With a spillway width of 131 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 5,125 cubic feet per second, Barker Meadow is equipped to handle potential emergencies and ensure the safety of surrounding areas in the event of a flood.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in Boulder County, Barker Meadow offers a fascinating blend of historical significance and modern functionality. Its role in hydroelectric power generation, water supply, and flood control makes it a valuable asset for both environmental enthusiasts and climate activists seeking sustainable solutions for water resource management and climate resilience.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Barker Meadow -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Boulder Creek At Nederland | 122 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek Near Orodell | 65 cfs | → |
| South St. Vrain Creek Near Ward | 50 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Orodell | 2 cfs | → |
| Moffat Water Tunnel At East Portal | 249 cfs | → |
| Coal Creek Near Plainview | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Barker Meadow.
Boat launches
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Fairway Drive Evergreen
- Cr 6 Grand County
Campgrounds
- West Magnolia
- Kelly Dahl
- Kelly Dahl Campground
- Gordon Gulch Dispersed Camping Area
- Caribou Dispersed Camping Area
- Rainbow Lakes Campground
Fishing spots
- Barker Reservoir
- Peterson Lake (Nederland)
- Rainbow Lakes - Ipwa
- Lost Lake - Jpwa
- Left Hand Reservoir - Ipwa
- Moraine Lake - Ipwa
Paddle runs
Track Barker Meadow in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Barker Meadow
Where does the data for Barker Meadow come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Barker Meadow.