Bolts Lake dam
Bolts Lake
Bolts Lake in Minturn, Colorado, is a private fish and wildlife pond located along the Eagle River. The Earth dam, completed in 1882, stands at 22 feet high and has a storage capacity of 218 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been rated for its condition since its last inspection in 1994.
This picturesque lake covers 9 acres with a surface area and serves as a vital habitat for local wildlife. While its primary purpose is for fish and wildlife conservation, Bolts Lake also provides recreational opportunities for visitors. With the surrounding natural beauty of Eagle County, climate and water resource enthusiasts will appreciate the ecological significance and historical charm of this hidden gem.
Despite its age, Bolts Lake continues to be regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Colorado Department of Water Resources. Its uncontrolled spillway and maximum discharge of 2795 cubic feet per second ensure the safety and stability of the dam structure. For those interested in water resource management and the impact of climate change on aquatic ecosystems, Bolts Lake offers a fascinating case study in sustainable conservation efforts within a private ownership setting.
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 Bolts Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle River Near Minturn | 125 cfs | → |
| Cross Creek Near Minturn | 183 cfs | → |
| Eagle River At Red Cliff | 15 cfs | → |
| Gore Creek At Mouth | 317 cfs | → |
| Gore Creek Abv Red Sandstone Creek At Vail | 292 cfs | → |
| Middle Creek Near Minturn | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bolts Lake.
Boat launches
- Eagle Valley Trail Avon
- Homestake Reservoir Boat Ramp Day Use Area
- Wolcott Boat Ramp
- Turquoise Lake Trail Lake County
- Matchless Boating Site
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Kiln Creek
- Nottingham Lake
- Black Lakes (Vail)
- Camp Hale Pond Fishing Pier
- Officers Gulch Pond
- Homestake Reservoir
Track Bolts Lake 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 Bolts Lake
Where does the data for Bolts Lake 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 Bolts Lake.