Belisle dam
Belisle
Belisle, also known as Allen Plant Raw Water or North Reservoir, is a water supply dam located in Arapahoe County, Colorado. Built in 1953, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and stretches 3050 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 398 acre-feet. Situated on Big Dry Creek-OS, Belisle serves as a crucial water source for the city of Englewood and is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources.
The dam's primary purpose is water supply, with a spillway width of 2 feet and a maximum discharge rate of 27 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, Belisle is currently assessed to be in fair condition. It undergoes inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With its moderate risk level and adherence to state regulations for permitting, inspection, and enforcement, Belisle plays a vital role in maintaining water resources in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Belisle's contribution to water supply infrastructure in Colorado. As a locally-owned dam serving the community with a regulated operation, Belisle exemplifies the importance of maintaining and managing water resources effectively. Its strategic location on Big Dry Creek-OS and adherence to state regulations demonstrate a commitment to sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Belisle -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Platte River Below Union Ave | 21 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Mouth | 8 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Englewood | 27 cfs | → |
| Harvard Gulch At Harvard Park | 0 cfs | → |
| Harvard Gulch At Colorado Blvd. | 0 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek Blw C-470 At Highlands Ranch | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Belisle.
Boat launches
- West Quincy Avenue Denver
- Chatfield Lake North Boat Ramp
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- Cherry Creek Park Road Centennial
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
Campgrounds
- Chatfield State Park
- Chief Ouray Group Site
- Cherokee Group Site
- Arapahoe Group Site
- Bear Creek Lake Park
- Cherry Creek State Park
Fishing spots
- Progress Park Pond
- Centennial Park
- Sterne Pond (Kids Only)
- Ketring Lake
- Gallup Reservoir
- Bowles Grove Pond
Track Belisle 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 Belisle
Where does the data for Belisle 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 Significant 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 Belisle.