Gross Dam

Gross Dam Quick Facts

Location: Boulder, Colorado
Coordinates: 39.948, -105.3579
River: South Boulder Creek River
Primary Purpose: Hydroelectric
Type: Concrete Arch Gravity
Commissioned: 1955
Dam Height: 340 ft (104 m)
Dam Length: 1,050 ft (320 m)
Dam Capacity: 46,200 acre-ft (56,987 Ml)
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Gross Dam Map

Gross Dam Information

Gross Dam is a concrete arch gravity dam located about 7 miles from Eldorado Springs, Boulder, Colorado.

The dam, which is on the South Boulder Creek River, was primarily built for Hydroelectric purposes, but also serves for Water Supply benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1955 and is currently owned by Denver Water.

Gross Dam Structure

The Gross Dam is approximately 1,050 feet (320 m) long, 340 feet (104 m) high and has a structural volume of cubic yards (0 cubic metres).

Gross Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 41,000 acre-ft (50,573 Ml) and maximum capacity of 46,200 acre-ft (56,987 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 413 acres (167 ha) and the total catchment area is 93 square miles (240 square kilometres).

Gross Dam Spillway

The dam has a 7280 feet (2219 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 10000 cubic feet per second (283 cubic metres per second).

Gross Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Gross Dam
Boulder, Colorado
Height (ft)
340
Length (Ft)
1,050
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
46,200
Drainage Area (sq miles)
93
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Gross Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Gross Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 22:14
Sunrise 07:12
Sunset 18:21
Temperature (°F) 43
Feels Like (°F) 43
Cloud Coverage (%) 0
Pressure (inHg) 1023
Humidity (%) 53
Wind Speed (mph) 0
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Gross Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 43 62 59 1021 29 11 11 W 0 - clear sky
Wed 44 66 64 1013 23 12 20 WNW 100 2 light rain
Thu 43 60 56 1005 28 13 24 WSW 93 1 light rain
Fri 38 61 56 1002 25 16 22 SSE 0 - scattered clouds
Sat 30 35 31 1020 96 9 7 W 100 5 rain and snow
Sun 26 45 43 1014 47 13 25 WSW 34 0 light rain
Mon 33 58 51 1015 38 13 29 WSW 0 - few clouds
Tue 39 61 56 1018 30 11 21 W 0 - clear sky

Gross Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Gross Dam?

Gross Dam is in Colorado.

In which county is the Gross Dam?

Gross Dam is in Boulder County.

How high is the Gross Dam?

Gross Dam is 340 feet high.

How long is the Gross Dam?

Gross Dam is 1,050 feet long.

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More Dams in Boulder County:

Barker Meadow Dam
Baseline - East Dam
Baseline - Northwest Dam
Boulder - North Dam
Boulder - South Dam
Button Rock Dam
Gross Dam
Ish #3 (East Dam)
Leggett & Hillcrest Dam
Marshall Lake Dam
Panama No. 1 - East Dam
Panama No. 1 - Northeast Dam
Panama No. 1 - Northwest Dam
Panama No. 1 - South Dam
Valmont 'A' Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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