North Star is a privately owned dam located in Weld County, Colorado, along Big Dry Creek-OS. Built in 1896 for irrigation purposes, this 16-foot high earth dam provides storage for 213 acre-feet of water with a normal storage capacity of 129 acre-feet. The dam spans 1700 feet in length and covers a surface area of 25 acres, serving as a vital resource for water management in the region.

Despite its age, North Star dam is assessed to be in fair condition with a low hazard potential. It has a controlled spillway with a width of 5 feet and a maximum discharge rate of 60 cubic feet per second. The dam is subject to regular inspections by the state regulatory agency, DWR, ensuring its ongoing safety and compliance with state permitting and enforcement standards. Its risk assessment is moderate, indicating a need for continued monitoring and risk management measures to safeguard against potential hazards.

For water resource and climate enthusiasts, North Star represents a historical piece of Colorado's water infrastructure that continues to play a crucial role in irrigation and water storage. Its location in the heart of the state's agricultural region underscores the importance of maintaining and managing such structures to ensure sustainable water resource management for the future. With a focus on safety and risk management, North Star stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and natural resource utilization in the face of changing climate conditions.