Denver never rebuilt Castlewood Dam but constructed the Cherry Creek Dam to replace it in 1946. Full size image. Cherry Creek Dam (National ID # CO01280) is a dam in Arapahoe County, Colorado southeast of Denver . Denver during the 1864 Cherry Creek flood. On August 3, 1933, the Castlewood Dam finally burst and flooded the Denver area. We must have floods on the brain here at DPL's Western History/Genealogy department. The construction of the Cherry Creek Dam, completed in 1950, and subsequent urban drainage stabilization projects have significantly reduced the likelihood of flooding. As a major responsibility of the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District and Denver Wastewater Management, however, flood control remains one of Cherry Creek’s primary functions. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is repairing sections of the Cherry Creek Spillway in Aurora near South Chambers Road and Yale Avenue. When: 10 a.m. Saturday. Ever since the beginning of the towns of Auraria and Denver, the nearby Cherry Creek and South Platte River have created problems for the town with numerous floods. 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays 1 … The first flood recorded in Denver occurred in May 1864 when heavy rain caused both Cherry Creek and the South Platte River to flood. Photo courtesy of the Harry Rhoads Collection at Denver Public Library. Unfortunately, an injunction from Arapahoe County terminated the early flood prevention attempt. documented throughout its history. Denver never rebuilt Castlewood Dam but constructed the Cherry Creek Dam to replace it in 1946. All trademarks are registered property of the University. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is repairing sections of the Cherry Creek Spillway in Aurora near South Chambers Road and Yale Avenue. 1933 August 3. 1933 August 3 . The city has taken numerous actions to prevent catastrophic flooding, including building several new dams and reservoirs. The masonry and rock-fill structure, built from local materials, was around 600 feet long with a height of 70 feet measured from the reservoir floor, 8 feet wide at the crest, and 50 feet wide at the base. The earthen dam was constructed between 1948 and 1950 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers with a height of 141 feet (43 m) and a length of 14,300 feet (4,400 m) at its crest. Denver's "First Flood," May 1864. Where: Cafeteria at Campus Middle School, 4785 S. Dayton St., Greenwood Village. On August 3, 1933, the Castlewood Dam finally burst and flooded the Denver area. It impounds Cherry Creek, a tributary of the South Platte River, for flood control. After the 1912 flood, city officials established the 1912 Flood Commission to investigate the floods and recommend steps for the city to take for future flood prevention. The earthen dam was constructed between 1948 and 1950 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers with a height of 141 feet and a length of 14,300 feet at its crest. Full size image. 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays 1 … Last week, ... Cherry Creek dam flood. Cherry Creek Flood of 1864 — 15-20 deaths. Before the Cherry Creek Dam was completed in 1950 the whole area was prone to regular and often destructive flooding. CU Denver History Department                                        Contact Us3rd Floor of the Student Commons Building                        Phone: 303 315-17761201 Larimer St., Suite 3102                                               Email: History@ucdenver.eduDenver, CO 80204. With every disastrous flood, the community has banded together in the wake of tragedy and grown stronger. Two people who lived near the creek died and there was extensive property damage, mainly to warehouses and merchants whose goods were stored in basements near Cherry Creek. One of the main concerns the 1912 Flood Commission expressed was the condition of the Castlewood Dam. The flood caused approximately $1.7 million in damages for the city. Full size image. After a heavy storm on the afternoon of July 14, 1912, the water level of Cherry Creek rose dramatically and a heavy rush of water overtook the area. Much like Denver's first flood in 1864, the flood in 1965 was the result of high waters in both the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. Photo of flooded Cherry Creek in Denver in 1864. This was a large sum of money to the city at the time. Full size image. Pioneers had built in the dry bed of Cherry Creek, despite warnings by Arapaho Chief Little Raven. 1933 August 3. All rights reserved. Historical Dialogues: Student Research, Faculty Publications, and Department Updates, School of Education and Human Development, College of Engineering and Applied Science, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Highest water level, in … Cherry Creek flood. Photo courtesy of the George Wakely Collection at Denver Public Library. The creek continued to menace the city until the completion of the Cherry Creek Dam in 1950. Cherry Creek flood, Denver. At the time of the 1864 flood what was then known as “Denver City” rested on the northeastern banks of Cherry Creek. The flood caused approximately $1.7 million in damages for the city. The Future of Flooding in Denver and Auraria As long as the South Platte River and Cherry Creek exist, there will be flooding in the Denver and Auraria area. After the 1965 flood, Denver Water built two more reservoirs at Chatfield and Bear Creek. A snowy winter, heavy spring rain and an unusually violent thunderstorm caused horrendous flash flooding along Cherry Creek. Picture of 1864 Denver flood with several buildings and high water. As long as the South Platte River and Cherry Creek exist, there will be flooding in the Denver and Auraria area. The Denver Water Storage Company built the Castlewood Dam in 1890 and the dam leaked and frequently fell into disrepair. With every disastrous flood, the community has banded together in the wake of tragedy and grown stronger. Cherry creek dam safety meeting . Picture of destroyed Castlewood Dam after the1933 break. By the numbers. 5,567. The 1965 flood caused approximately $540 million in damages to the city and the deaths of twenty-one people. Sunken … The flood of 1878 resulted in Denver's first attempt to take major action for flood prevention. Used by permission only. The Need for More Dams: The 1965 Flood Denver never rebuilt Castlewood Dam but constructed the Cherry Creek Dam to replace it in 1946. The Cherry Creek Dam debate is a classic case of risk analysis colliding with politics. Chamberlain Collection at Denver Public Library. The Need for More Dams: The 1965 Flood. The 1965 flood caused approximately $540 million in damages to the city and the deaths of twenty-one people. Nineteen citizens died and the flood caused several thousands of dollars of damage. 1933 August 3. © 2017  The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. Cherry Creek flood. Neglecting the South Platte Denver worked to control Cherry Creek, but little was done about the South Platte itself—even though several of its other tributaries were almost as unpredictable as Cherry Creek. Denver attempted to turn Cherry Creek in a more western direction. The city has taken numerous actions to prevent catastrophic flooding, including building several new dams and reservoirs. Full size image. Description & Background Castlewood Canyon Dam was constructed in 1890 across Cherry Creek, 40 miles southeast of Denver, Colorado. Castlewood Dam after the 1933 break. Much like Denver's first flood in 1864, the flood in 1965 was the result of high waters in both the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. [1] It impounds Cherry Creek, a tributary of the South Platte River, for flood control.The dam and reservoir are … Cherry Creek flood watchers. 1933 August 3. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. People watching the water from banks of the flood during the 1864 Cherry Creek Flood. Photo courtesy of the W.G. The costs of doing nothing - extreme in this case - must be weighed against the price of doing something, however controversial.