Boulder officials are warning residents to take caution as the Barker Dam, attached to the Barker Reservoir, is set to conduct its annual high water flow spill within the week.

In a statement, City of Boulder officials cautioned residents that the water runoff, mainly from rainfall and increased snowmelt, will cause increased water flow throughout parts of the city for possibly the next several weeks.

Increased water flow from a dam spillway can cause increased chances of floods and damage.

“Each spring as temperatures warm, stream flows increase due to runoff from melting mountain snow. Before peak stream flows occur at lower elevations, like in the city of Boulder, mountain reservoirs must first fill and start spilling,” Boulder officials said.

The Barker dam and reservoir is located roughly 15 miles west of downtown Boulder. The Barker spill happens between mid-May to late June, according to the city.

Boulder Creek-area residents are to especially take caution, officials said.

Since the Baker Reservoir has a limited amount of storage space, the excess water flows over the spillway and downstream into Boulder Creek.

“To provide a sense of scale,” Boulder officials added, “the volume of water that flows through Middle Boulder Creek each spring could fill the reservoir multiple times.”

Boulder-area residents can visit the Water Supply and Planning webpage.