Gavins Point Dam - Omaha District US Army Corps of Engineers

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Cherry Creek Dam and Lake

Tri-Lakes Information

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Cherry Creek Lake lies on Cherry Creek at its confluence with Cottonwood Creek, at the southeast edge of Denver. The lake is 3.25 miles long and has an average depth of 46 feet. The lake drains an area of approximately 390 square miles. The 850-surface-acre lake has a storage capacity of 13,960 acre-feet.
Cherry Creek Dam
Cherry Creek Lake lies on Cherry Creek at its confluence with Cottonwood Creek, at the southeast edge of Denver. The lake is 3.25 miles long and has an average depth of 46 feet. The lake drains an area of approximately 390 square miles. The 850-surface-acre lake has a storage capacity of 13,960 acre-feet.
Cherry Creek Dam was the first of the three dams to be built to lower the risks to the Denver region from catastrophic South Platte River floodwaters that plagued the area for more than 100 years. Located at the southeast edge of Denver in Aurora, Colo., construction of the dam began in 1948 and completed in 1950.
Cherry Creek Dam
Cherry Creek Dam was the first of the three dams to be built to lower the risks to the Denver region from catastrophic South Platte River floodwaters that plagued the area for more than 100 years. Located at the southeast edge of Denver in Aurora, Colo., construction of the dam began in 1948 and completed in 1950.

Cherry Creek Dam was the first of the three dams to be built to lower the risks to the Denver region from catastrophic South Platte River floodwaters that plagued the area for more than 100 years. Located at the southeast edge of Denver in Aurora, Colo., construction of the dam began in 1948 and completed in 1950.

Cherry Creek Lake lies on Cherry Creek at its confluence with Cottonwood Creek, at the southeast edge of Denver. The lake is 3.25 miles long and has an average depth of 46 feet. The lake drains an area of approximately 390 square miles. The 850-surface-acre lake has a storage capacity of 13,960 acre-feet.

The Cherry Creek Dam and reservoir are owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Cherry Creek Lake is cooperatively managed by the Corps and its partners: Colorado State Parks and the cities of Denver, Greenwood Village, and Aurora. Cherry Creek State Park is a year-round facility and is part of the Colorado State Park system. Its attractions include a campground, fishing and picnic areas, riding stable, archery and rifle range, nature and bike trails, marina, and a swimming area. Winter activities include ice fishing, skating, and cross-country skiing.

Cherry Creek Pool Elevations

Cherry Creek Pool Elevations Graphic

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Studies on Cherry Creek Dam

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District is currently conducting a Dam Safety Modification Study to consider and assess options for reducing the potential for life loss and property damage from detailed risks associated with the dam. For the more than 300,000 people living within this area, the dam reduces flooding risks for locations that would be prone to regular flooding.

The Cherry Creek Dam Safety Modification Study and public involvement process is addressed through the NEPA process.

An additional Water Control Plan Modification Study is being conducted to identify the beginning of extreme flooding conditions, determine when to begin making releases, and evaluate appropriate release rates under those conditions.
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