Rock Canyon E.C. #1 dam
Rock Canyon E.C. #1
Rock Canyon E.C. #1 is a privately owned earth dam situated in Arapahoe County, Colorado, near the city of Byers. Completed in 1971, this dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Bijou Creek-TR. With a height of 19 feet and a length of 373 feet, it has a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet and a surface area of 7 acres, catering to a drainage area of 1 square mile. The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of November 2020.
Despite its modest size, Rock Canyon E.C. #1 plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region, as evidenced by its moderate risk assessment rating. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 60 feet, ensures that excess water can be safely discharged when needed. Regular inspections, conducted every three years, help to maintain the dam's structural integrity and ensure its continued effectiveness in flood control. The presence of state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement further underscores the commitment to safeguarding this vital water resource.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the strategic location and purpose of Rock Canyon E.C. #1 in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. As a key component in the flood risk reduction infrastructure, this dam exemplifies the importance of proactive management and maintenance to ensure the safety and resilience of communities in the face of changing climate patterns. With its low hazard potential, fair condition, and state-regulated oversight, Rock Canyon E.C. #1 stands as a testament to responsible water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in Colorado.
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 Rock Canyon E.C. #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| First Cr Bel Buckley Rd | 2 cfs | → |
| Cherry Creek Below Cherry Creek Lake | 41 cfs | → |
| First Cr Ab 96th Ave | 1 cfs | → |
| Cherry Creek Near Franktown | 3 cfs | → |
| Harvard Gulch At Colorado Blvd. | 0 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek Blw C-470 At Highlands Ranch | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Canyon E.C. #1.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Aurora Reservoir
- Quincy Reservoir
- Salisbury Park
- Pinery Reservoir
- Bingham Lake-Pinery Reservoir
- Cherry Creek Reservoir
Track Rock Canyon E.C. #1 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 Rock Canyon E.C. #1
Where does the data for Rock Canyon E.C. #1 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 Rock Canyon E.C. #1.