Chatfield Dam dam
Chatfield Dam
Chatfield Dam, also known as Chatfield Lake, is a Federal-owned structure located in Denver, Colorado, along the South Platte River. Completed in 1973, this Earth-type dam serves primarily for flood risk reduction but also supports irrigation and recreational activities. With a structural height of 148 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 355,000 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its importance in flood control, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has identified Chatfield Dam as having a high hazard potential due to the risk of overtopping and damage to the spillway during extreme flood events. Should a breach occur, downstream communities could face catastrophic flooding with significant impacts on property, infrastructure, and the economy. The USACE Dam Safety Program implements ongoing risk management measures to enhance the dam's safety and monitors potential threats to reduce the risk posed by the dam.
To ensure public safety, USACE encourages communities downstream of Chatfield Dam to stay informed about flood forecasts, evacuation plans, and emergency actions. By building awareness and taking proactive steps, the risk associated with the dam can be minimized, and the potential impact of a dam failure can be mitigated. Visit the USACE Dam Safety Program website for more information on risk assessments and safety measures in place for Chatfield Dam.
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 Chatfield Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Plum Creek At Titan Rd Nr Louviers | 7 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Waterton | 35 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Below Union Ave | 15 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Mouth | 15 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek Blw C-470 At Highlands Ranch | 1 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Englewood | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chatfield Dam.
Boat launches
- Chatfield Lake North Boat Ramp
- West Quincy Avenue Denver
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
- Cherry Creek Park Road Centennial
- Fairway Drive Evergreen
Campgrounds
- Chatfield State Park
- Bear Creek Lake Park
- Idylease Campground
- Indian Creek
- Chief Ouray Group Site
- Cherokee Group Site
Fishing spots
- Chatfield Lake
- Chatfield Reservoir
- South Platte Park Ponds (Littleton Flood Plain Ponds)
- Eaglewatch Lake
- Redtail Lake
- Redstone Park Pond
Track Chatfield Dam 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 Chatfield Dam
Where does the data for Chatfield Dam 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 Chatfield Dam.