Cherry Creek Dam dam
Cherry Creek Dam
Cherry Creek Dam, also known as Cherry Creek Lake, is a vital structure in Arapahoe County, Colorado, designed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to primarily reduce flood risks in the region. Completed in 1953, the dam stands at a hydraulic height of 140 feet and a structural height of 189 feet, with a storage capacity of 134,470 acre-feet. The dam plays a crucial role in managing the Cherry Creek's flow, protecting downstream communities from catastrophic flooding events.
Despite the dam's reliability, there are still potential risks associated with overtopping during extreme flood events, which could lead to devastating consequences for the highly urbanized areas downstream. Recognizing these risks, the US Army Corps of Engineers has implemented various risk management measures, including ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and collaboration with state and local agencies to enhance preparedness and public awareness. Additionally, a Dam Safety Modification Study conducted in 2019 resulted in non-structural improvements to reduce the probability of overtopping and enhance emergency response capabilities.
As a responsible dam owner, the US Army Corps of Engineers continues to prioritize the safety and protection of communities near Cherry Creek Dam. By proactively managing risks and enhancing communication and preparedness efforts, the dam serves as a critical infrastructure in mitigating flood risks and safeguarding lives and property in the region.
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 Cherry Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek Below Cherry Creek Lake | 41 cfs | → |
| Harvard Gulch At Colorado Blvd. | 0 cfs | → |
| Harvard Gulch At Harvard Park | 0 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek Blw C-470 At Highlands Ranch | 1 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Englewood | 32 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Below Union Ave | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cherry Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Cherry Creek Park Road Centennial
- West Quincy Avenue Denver
- Chatfield Lake North Boat Ramp
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
Campgrounds
- Chief Ouray Group Site
- Cherokee Group Site
- Arapahoe Group Site
- Cherry Creek State Park
- Chatfield State Park
- Bear Creek Lake Park
Fishing spots
- Cherry Creek Reservoir
- Exposition Park Pond
- Quincy Reservoir
- Garland Park Lake (Lollipop Lake)
- Cherry Knolls Pond
- Grasmere Lake
Track Cherry Creek Dam 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 Cherry Creek Dam
Where does the data for Cherry Creek Dam 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 Cherry Creek Dam.