Marston Lake - North Dam dam
Marston Lake - North Dam
Marston Lake - North Dam, located in Denver, Colorado, is a critical piece of infrastructure that serves as a water supply source in the region. Constructed in 1899, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a length of 2350 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 22,500 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the South Platte River and plays a vital role in regulating water flow and storage for the surrounding area.
With a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of September 2020, Marston Lake - North Dam is closely monitored and regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 20 feet, ensuring efficient water discharge during peak flow events. Despite its age, the dam continues to meet safety standards and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Marston Lake - North Dam not only for its historical significance but also for its vital role in water management and supply in the area. As a publicly owned utility structure, the dam exemplifies the careful balance between water resource management, infrastructure maintenance, and environmental stewardship, making it a key player in the sustainable development of Colorado's water resources.
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 Marston Lake - North Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek At Mouth | 8 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Below Union Ave | 26 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Englewood | 43 cfs | → |
| Harvard Gulch At Harvard Park | 0 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Above Bear Creek Lake Near Morrison | 7 cfs | → |
| Harvard Gulch At Colorado Blvd. | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Marston Lake - North Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- West Quincy Avenue Denver
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- Chatfield Lake North Boat Ramp
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
- Cherry Creek Park Road Centennial
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
⛺ Campgrounds
- Bear Creek Lake Park
- Chatfield State Park
- Chief Ouray Group Site
- Cherokee Group Site
- Arapahoe Group Site
- Clear Creek Rv Park
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Marston Lake - North 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 Marston Lake - North Dam
Where does the data for Marston Lake - North 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 Marston Lake - North Dam.