Diemer Reservoir dam
Diemer Reservoir
Diemer Reservoir, located in Pitkin County, Colorado, is a federal-owned Earth dam constructed in 1929 by the USDA Forest Service with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a dam height of 13 feet and a hydraulic height of 18 feet, this reservoir has a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 60 acre-feet. The reservoir is situated along the tributary North Fork Frying Pan River, providing a crucial habitat for various aquatic species in the region.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, Diemer Reservoir is subject to moderate risk (rated 3) due to its condition assessment being marked as "Not Rated." The reservoir features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 8 feet and outlet gates that are also uncontrolled. The last inspection was conducted in July 2017, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 10 years. While the risk management measures and emergency preparedness plans are not currently assessed or updated, the reservoir continues to play a vital role in supporting fish and wildlife populations in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts are drawn to Diemer Reservoir for its historical significance as an early 20th-century water management structure, as well as its ecological importance as a habitat for local flora and fauna. As part of the USDA Forest Service's portfolio of water conservation projects, this reservoir stands as a testament to the agency's commitment to preserving natural resources while balancing the needs of various stakeholders. With its serene location in the Colorado wilderness, Diemer Reservoir serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource management and environmental conservation in the face of a changing climate.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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, environmental 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.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Diemer Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Fryingpan River Near Norrie | 53 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River Near Thomasville | 136 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River At Meredith | 172 cfs | → |
| Missouri Creek Near Gold Park | 6 cfs | → |
| Homestake Creek At Gold Park | 27 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River Near Ruedi | 115 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Diemer Reservoir.
⚓ Boat launches
- Homestake Reservoir Boat Ramp Day Use Area
- Turquoise Lake Trail Lake County
- Matchless Boating Site
- Eagle Valley Trail Avon
- Wingo Boat Ramp
⛺ Campgrounds
- Elk Wallow
- Elk Wallow Campground
- Chapman Campground And Group Campground
- Chapman
- Dearhamer
- Dearhamer Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary
- Arkansas River Segment 1
- Castle Creek
- The Upper
- Dowd Chute
- Lower (Bottom Four)
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Diemer Reservoir in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Diemer Reservoir
Where does the data for Diemer Reservoir come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Diemer Reservoir.