Kiowa Crk Wtrshd 3-B-50 dam
Kiowa Crk Wtrshd 3-B-50
Kiowa Creek Watershed 3-B-50 is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Elbert County, Colorado. Owned by the local government and designed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and has a length of 426 feet. Completed in 1956, it serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Gopher Creek, with a normal storage capacity of 42 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2600 cubic feet per second.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of November 2011, Kiowa Creek Watershed 3-B-50 has a moderate risk assessment score of 3. This structure plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area, providing protection against potential flooding events. Despite its age, it continues to fulfill its intended purpose effectively, showcasing the importance of ongoing inspection and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and safety for the surrounding community.
Located in a picturesque setting in Kiowa, Colorado, this dam represents a collaboration between local and federal agencies to safeguard the region against flooding. With its uncontrolled spillway and strategic positioning on Gopher Creek, Kiowa Creek Watershed 3-B-50 stands as a testament to the importance of proactive water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the face of changing environmental 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 Kiowa Crk Wtrshd 3-B-50 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek Near Franktown | 6 cfs | → |
| Monument Creek At Palmer Lake | 1 cfs | → |
| Monument C Ab N.Gate Blvd At Usaf Academy | 25 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Creek At Woodmen Rd Nr Colo Springs | 28 cfs | → |
| Pine Creek Abv Briargate Pkwy | 3 cfs | → |
| East Plum Cr Blw Haskins Gulch Nr Castle Rock | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kiowa Crk Wtrshd 3-B-50.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Ramah Reservoir
- Bingham Lake-Pinery Reservoir
- Pinery Reservoir
- Salisbury Park
- Monument Lake (El Paso County)
- Palmer Lake
Track Kiowa Crk Wtrshd 3-B-50 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 Kiowa Crk Wtrshd 3-B-50
Where does the data for Kiowa Crk Wtrshd 3-B-50 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 Kiowa Crk Wtrshd 3-B-50.