Ward Creek dam
Ward Creek
Ward Creek, located in Cedaredge, Colorado, is a critical water resource for irrigation and recreation purposes. The earth dam, standing at 45 feet with a hydraulic height of 43 feet, was completed in 1957 and boasts a storage capacity of 482 acre-feet. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, with a width of 35 feet, ensuring the efficient management of water flow.
With a drainage area of 6 square miles, Ward Creek offers a surface area of 25 acres for recreational activities. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's fair condition assessment as of August 2020 ensures its structural integrity. In case of emergencies, the dam is equipped with slide and uncontrolled gates for efficient water release.
Managed by private owners but regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Ward Creek Dam plays a crucial role in water management within the region. Its strategic location and moderate risk assessment make it a key asset for both agricultural and leisure activities in the area.
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 Ward Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 31 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 37 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 25 cfs | → |
| North Fk Gunnison River Above Mouth Nr Lazear | 413 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River At Delta | 768 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ward Creek.
⚓ Boat launches
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
- Z Road Delta County
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- Lakeshore Drive Delta County
- Sunset Boat Access- Grand Valley Rd
- Forest Road 125 Delta County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Island Lake Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Island Lake
- Little Bear Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Ward Lake
- Ward Lake Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Cobbett Campground - Grand Valley Rd
🎣 Fishing spots
- Ward Creek Reservoir
- Little Gem Reservoir
- Deep Slough Reservoir
- Island Lake (Grand Mesa)
- Ward Lake
- Cobbett (Carp) Lake
🛶 Paddle runs
- Gunnison River Segment 2
- West Fork Terror Creek
- Roubideau Creek Segment 2
- The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument-Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
- Roubideau Creek Segment 1
- Potter Creek
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Ward Creek 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 Ward Creek
Where does the data for Ward Creek 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 High 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 Ward Creek.