Paxton dam
Paxton
Paxton, also known as Hi Mountain Lake, is a privately-owned water resource located in Montrose, Colorado. This reservoir, completed in 1963, serves primarily for irrigation purposes and has a storage capacity of 785 acre-feet. Situated along the N Fork Horsefly Creek, Paxton is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, ensuring that it is inspected and maintained to meet state standards for safety and functionality.
The dam at Paxton is an earth structure with a height of 21 feet and a hydraulic height of 23 feet, providing water for fire protection, stock, small fish ponds, and water supply in addition to irrigation. With a surface area of 50 acres and a maximum discharge capacity of 440 cubic feet per second, Paxton plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the reservoir is subject to regular inspections and risk assessments to ensure its continued safe operation.
Managed under a private ownership model, Paxton is an essential resource for the community of Naturita, Colorado, and the surrounding area. With its reliable water supply and multiple beneficial uses, this reservoir underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving climate challenges. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Paxton exemplifies the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and community needs in the Western United States.
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 Paxton -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Uncompahgre River Below Ridgway Reservoir | 88 cfs | → |
| Dallas Creek Near Ridgway | 0 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River Near Ridgway | 224 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River At Colona | 48 cfs | → |
| San Miguel River Near Placerville | 259 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River Near Ouray | 260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paxton.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Jutten Camp
- Silesca Guard Station
- Iron Springs Campground - Ouray Rd
- Iron Springs Campground
- Iron Springs
- Ridgway State Park
Fishing spots
- Ridgway Reservoir
- Chipeta Lakes Swa
- Sheep Corrals Fishing Site
- Beaver Lake Day Use Area/ Fishing Site
- Silver Jack Reservoir
- Woods Lake
Paddle runs
- Norwood Canyon
- San Miguel River Segment 2
- Saltado Creek
- San Miguel River Segment 3
- San Miguel River Segment 1
- Ledges
More reservoirs
Track Paxton 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 Paxton
Where does the data for Paxton 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 Paxton.