Loch Lomond dam
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond, nestled in the Clear Creek County of Colorado, is a picturesque reservoir with a primary purpose of irrigation. Completed in 1963, this earth dam stands at 42 feet in height and boasts a storage capacity of 1058 acre-feet, making it a vital resource for water management in the region. With a surface area of 31 acres and a maximum discharge rate of 1200 cubic feet per second, Loch Lomond not only serves essential irrigation needs but also provides opportunities for recreational activities.
Managed by private owners and regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Loch Lomond plays a crucial role in maintaining the water supply for agricultural purposes in the area. With its high hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity. Despite its age, Loch Lomond continues to be a valuable asset for the community, balancing the dual roles of water resource management and recreation in the beautiful surroundings of Idaho Springs.
As climate change continues to impact water resources globally, Loch Lomond stands as a symbol of the importance of sustainable water management practices. With its moderate risk assessment and ongoing risk management measures, the reservoir serves as a reminder of the need for proactive planning and maintenance to safeguard essential water supplies for current and future generations. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Loch Lomond exemplifies the intersection of human ingenuity and natural beauty in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Loch Lomond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fraser River At Upper Sta | 22 cfs | → |
| Moffat Water Tunnel At East Portal | 204 cfs | → |
| West Fork Clear Creek Abv Mouth Nr Empire | 49 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Lawson | 111 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Abv West Fork Clear Creek Nr Empire Co | 66 cfs | → |
| Berthoud Pass Ditch At Berthoud Pass | -999 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Loch Lomond.
Boat launches
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Fairway Drive Evergreen
- Cr 6 Grand County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Willow Creek Boating Site
- Us 34 Grand County
Campgrounds
- Robbers Roost
- Robbers Roost Campground
- Midland Group Campground
- Empire City Rv Parking
- Jim Creek Campground
- Site 41
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Upper South Boulder Creek
- Upper Clear Creek
- Lower Snake
- Tunnel 1 To Golden Whitewater Park
- Lower Boulder Canyon
More reservoirs
Track Loch Lomond 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 Loch Lomond
Where does the data for Loch Lomond 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 Loch Lomond.