Boomerang dam
Boomerang
Boomerang is a privately owned irrigation structure located in Weld County, Colorado, along the Poudre River. Completed in 1990, this earth dam stands at 24 feet high with a hydraulic height of 30 feet and a structural height of 28 feet. Boomerang serves primarily for irrigation purposes, with additional recreational benefits for the local community. The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in fair condition.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Boomerang undergoes regular state inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam has a maximum storage capacity of 28 acre-feet and a normal storage of 16 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 2 acres. Although it has an uncontrolled spillway type, the risk assessment for Boomerang is rated as moderate (3), prompting the need for ongoing risk management measures to mitigate any potential hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Boomerang provides a fascinating case study of a vital infrastructure supporting agricultural activities in Colorado. With its location along the Poudre River and proximity to Greeley, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources for irrigation while offering recreational opportunities for the local community. As efforts continue to maintain and monitor Boomerang's condition, stakeholders are reminded of the importance of sustainable water management practices to safeguard both the environment and public safety 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 Boomerang -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Thompson River At Mouth | 38 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre River Near Greeley | 40 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Near Kersey | 92 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek At Mouth | 103 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R Ab Boxelder C | 272 cfs | → |
| Big Thompson River At Loveland | 73 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Boomerang.
Boat launches
- Boat Ramp Larimer County
- Filter Plant River Access Point (Put-In)
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Bridges River Access Point (Take-Out)
- Bridges River Access Point (Take-Out #2)
Campgrounds
- Missile Site Park
- Boyd Lake State Park
- South Bay - Horsetooth Reservoir
- Inlet Bay - Horsetooth Reservoir
- St. Vrain State Park
- Union Reservoir
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Boomerang 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 Boomerang
Where does the data for Boomerang 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 Boomerang.