Alberta Park dam
Alberta Park
Alberta Park, located in Mineral County, Colorado, is a state-regulated fish and wildlife pond with a primary purpose of supporting aquatic ecosystems. Constructed in 1953, this Earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and spans 210 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 812 acre-feet, the reservoir covers a surface area of 39 acres and has a normal storage level of 598 acre-feet.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Alberta Park is a vital resource for recreation and wildlife conservation in the region. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 24 feet to manage maximum discharge levels of up to 957 cubic feet per second. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in August 2020.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Alberta Park offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of dam infrastructure, environmental conservation, and recreational opportunities. With its strategic location along Pass Creek-TR and proximity to South Fork, the park serves as a critical habitat for diverse aquatic species while providing a picturesque setting for outdoor activities. As efforts continue to ensure the dam's safety and longevity, Alberta Park remains a valuable asset for both the local community and nature enthusiasts alike.
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 Alberta Park -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork San Juan River Nr Pagosa Springs | -888 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork Bel Cropsy Creek At Summitville | 14 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork At Mouth Near Jasper | 3 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Wightman Fork Near Jasper | -999 cfs | → |
| Conejos River Below Platoro Reservoir | 169 cfs | → |
| South Fork Rio Grande At South Fork | 434 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alberta Park.
⛺ Campgrounds
- Tucker Ponds
- Tucker Ponds Campground
- Big Meadows Campground And Picnic Area
- Big Meadows
- Wolf Creek
- Park Creek Camp #1
🎣 Fishing spots
- Alberta Park Reservoir
- Tucker Ponds Fishing Site
- Pass Creek Lake Fishing Site
- Big Meadows Reservoir
- Shaw Lake
- Poage Lake Fishing Site
🛶 Paddle runs
- Headwaters (Sec 21, T38n, R1e) To 1/4 Mile Above Big Meadows Reservoir
- El Rito Azul--Blue Lake (Sec 26, T35n, R3e) And Portion Of Conejos Above Platoro Reservoir To Upper Reach Of Platoro Reservoir--Sec 6, T35n, R4e
- Below Big Meadows Reservoir Dam To Sec 9 And 10, T39n, R3e
- North Fork--Sec 8, T35n, R2e To Confluence With Middle Fork
- Middle Fork--Sec 13, T35n, R2e To Confluence Of Three Forks--Sec 14, T35n, R3e
- East Fork--Unnamed Ponds Approx 1/4 Mile Below Continental Divide To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
Track Alberta Park 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 Alberta Park
Where does the data for Alberta Park 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 Alberta Park.