Bull Run Creek dam
Bull Run Creek
Bull Run Creek is a vital water resource located in Grand County, Colorado, specifically in the city of Kremmling. This creek serves multiple purposes, including irrigation, fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond support. The dam associated with Bull Run Creek is primarily used for earth retention, with a height of 26 feet and a hydraulic height of 27 feet. Completed in 1968, the dam provides a storage capacity of 181 acre-feet and has a normal storage level of 97 acre-feet.
Despite being a private-owned structure, Bull Run Creek is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, with state jurisdiction and permitting in place. The dam has a low hazard potential and a fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in May 2015. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the creek is monitored regularly, with inspections conducted every six years. The creek's drainage area covers 4 square miles, with a maximum discharge capacity of 638 cubic feet per second, making it a crucial water source for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bull Run Creek presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned water management structure in Colorado. Its multi-purpose functionality, coupled with state regulation and inspection protocols, highlights the intricate balance between water utilization and conservation efforts. The creek's risk assessment and condition evaluation provide valuable insights into the ongoing maintenance and management practices necessary for sustaining this vital water resource in the region.
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 Bull Run Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Williams Fork Near Parshall | 73 cfs | → |
| Williams Fork Below Williams Fork Reservoir | 18 cfs | → |
| Blue River Below Green Mountain Reservoir | 63 cfs | → |
| Williams Fork Near Leal | 121 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Kremmling | 227 cfs | → |
| Colorado River At Windy Gap | 149 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bull Run Creek.
Boat launches
- Co 9 Summit County
- Confluence Rec Site Boat Ramp
- Willow Creek Boating Site
- Radium Rec Site Boat Ramp
- Cr 6 Grand County
- Us 34 Grand County
Campgrounds
- Williams Fork Reservoir - Swa
- Mule Creek - Skylark Rec Area
- Mule Creek - Skylark Rec Area Campground
- Morgan Gulch Rec Site Camping
- Beaver Creek Unti - Hot Sulphur State Wildlife Area
- Cow Creek South Campground
Fishing spots
- Williams Fork Reservoir
- Green Mountain Reservoir
- Lower Cataract Lake
- Upper Cataract Lake
- Wolford Mountain Reservoir
- Willow Creek Fishing Site
Paddle runs
Track Bull Run 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 Bull Run Creek
Where does the data for Bull Run 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 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 Bull Run Creek.