Miramonte dam
Miramonte
Miramonte, located in the picturesque San Miguel County of Colorado, is a state-regulated earth dam on the West Naturita Creek. Built in 1978 for recreation purposes, this 87-foot tall structure provides essential fish and wildlife pond resources while offering a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts. With a normal storage capacity of 6,851 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1,800 cubic feet per second, Miramonte covers a surface area of 410 acres and serves as a vital asset for water resource management in the region.
Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, Miramonte remains a popular destination for water and climate enthusiasts seeking nature-based recreational activities. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, slide gates, and rock foundations contribute to its structural integrity and operational efficiency. With a drainage area of 36 square miles, Miramonte plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality and supporting the local ecosystem through its sustainable management practices. As a state-regulated facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of Water Resources (DWR), Miramonte undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
In the event of an emergency, Miramonte's risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, with a designated emergency action plan (EAP) prepared to guide response efforts. While the dam's risk management measures and inundation maps are still in development, its compliance with inspection protocols and regulatory standards reflect a commitment to safeguarding the surrounding community and natural resources. Miramonte stands as a testament to responsible water resource stewardship, blending recreational opportunities with sustainable infrastructure design to support the diverse needs of both humans and wildlife 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 Miramonte -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Miguel River Near Placerville | 169 cfs | → |
| San Miguel River At Brooks Bridge Near Nucla Co | 60 cfs | → |
| South Fork San Miguel River Near Ophir | 59 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Below Rico | 152 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Slick Rock | 7 cfs | → |
| San Miguel River At Uravan | 113 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Miramonte.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Miramonte Reservoir (Dan Noble Swa)
- Groundhog Reservoir
- Woods Lake
- Sheep Corrals Fishing Site
- Mcphee Reservoir
- Ridgway Reservoir
Track Miramonte 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 Miramonte
Where does the data for Miramonte 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 Miramonte.