Boyd Lake Dam (Boyd Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Boyd Lake
NID ID: CO00157
Longitude: -105.035
Latitude: 40.4125
Map Section: S8 , T5N, R68W of Sixth PM
County: LARIMER
River: BIG THOMPSON RIVER-OS
State: CO
Nearest City: LOVELAND
Distance: 1 miles
Owner Name: GREELEY-LOVELAND IRRIGATION COMPANY
Owner Type: Private
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Purposes: Irrigation
Year Completed: 1900
Year Modified/Mod Type: pump station rebuilt 1978
Dam Length: 10729 feet
Dam Height: 40 feet
Structural Height: 40 feet
Hydraulic Height: 40 feet
Maximum Discharge: 42700 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 59981 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 48871 acre-feet
Surface Area: 1747 acres
Drainage Area: 17.3 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2012-08-09
Inspection Frequency: 1
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: DWR
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 1298 feet
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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