Chimney Peak Ranch dam
Chimney Peak Ranch
Chimney Peak Ranch, also known as Forgotten Reservoir, is a state-regulated water structure located in Ouray, Colorado, along Nate Creek. This irrigation dam is primarily used for agricultural purposes and is classified as an earth dam with a stone core. With a height of 25 feet and a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, the dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources (DWR), Chimney Peak Ranch undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type and lack of a condition assessment rating, the dam poses a low risk of failure. The surrounding area is considered to have a moderate risk level, but with proper risk management measures in place, the ranch continues to provide vital water resources for the local community while protecting against potential hazards.
Located within the Albuquerque District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Chimney Peak Ranch stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climates. With its strategic location and vital role in supporting agricultural activities, this dam serves as a valuable asset for both water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates seeking to protect and preserve our natural environment.
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 Chimney Peak Ranch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Uncompahgre River Near Ridgway | 184 cfs | → |
| Dallas Creek Near Ridgway | 2 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River Below Ridgway Reservoir | 96 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Near Cimarron | 100 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River Near Ouray | 253 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River At Colona | 83 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chimney Peak Ranch.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Ridgway State Park
- Silver Jack Campground - Ouray Rd
- Silver Jack
- Jackson Guard Station
- Beaver Lake
- Beaver Lake Campground - Ouray Rd
Fishing spots
- Ridgway Reservoir
- Silver Jack Reservoir
- Silver Jack Fisherman Access
- Beaver Lake Day Use Area/ Fishing Site
- North Fork Animas River
- Crystal Reservoir
Track Chimney Peak Ranch 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 Chimney Peak Ranch
Where does the data for Chimney Peak Ranch 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 Chimney Peak Ranch.