Larson dam
Larson
Larson, also known as Larson #1, is a privately owned dam located in Rio Blanco, Colorado. Completed in 1888, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a length of 66 feet. The primary purpose of Larson Dam is for water supply, serving irrigation and other water supply needs in the area. With a storage capacity of 74 acre-feet and a normal storage of 62 acre-feet, Larson Dam plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
Managed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR), Larson Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam has a low hazard potential and is rated in fair condition, with a moderate risk assessment score of 3. Although there are no associated structures with Larson Dam, it is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has a maximum discharge capacity of 273 cubic feet per second. Overall, Larson Dam remains an essential water resource infrastructure in Colorado, contributing to water supply and irrigation needs in the area.
With its historical significance dating back to the late 19th century, Larson Dam continues to play a vital role in water management and supply in Rio Blanco County. As a key feature of the Piceance CR-TR river system, Larson Dam provides essential water storage and control capabilities, ensuring a reliable water supply for agricultural and other uses in the region. Despite its age, Larson Dam remains a functional and important component of Colorado's water infrastructure, highlighting the importance of maintaining and monitoring such critical water resources in the face of climate challenges and water scarcity concerns.
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 Larson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Above Coal Creek | 272 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 593 cfs | → |
| White River Below Meeker | 332 cfs | → |
| White River Near Meeker | 321 cfs | → |
| Piceance Creek Bl Ryan Gulch | 2 cfs | → |
| Piceance Creek At White River | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Larson.
Campgrounds
- Cedar Mountain Camp
- Sage Campground
- Cedar Campground
- Rifle Gap State Park
- Three Forks
- Rifle Mountain County Park
Fishing spots
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Lake Avery
- Rio Blanco Lake
Track Larson 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 Larson
Where does the data for Larson 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 Larson.