Francis Smart dam
Francis Smart
Francis Smart, also known as Rocky Flats, is a public utility water reservoir located in Jefferson County, Colorado. Managed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam was completed in 1892 for irrigation purposes, with a storage capacity of 1178 acre-feet and a surface area of 49 acres. The dam stands at 35 feet high with a spillway width of 200 feet, providing water to the surrounding area for irrigation and water supply.
This reservoir on Woman Creek-OS in Westminster plays a crucial role in water management and agricultural activities in the region. With low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Francis Smart is regularly inspected by the Colorado Department of Water Resources to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively, contributing to the sustainable use of water resources in the area.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and engineering marvel of Francis Smart, representing a blend of tradition and modern water management practices. As a key infrastructure for irrigation and water supply, the dam underscores the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climatic conditions. With its moderate risk assessment and regulatory oversight, Francis Smart stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of water infrastructure 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 Francis Smart -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Coal Creek Near Plainview | 1 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Golden | 104 cfs | → |
| Little Dry Creek At Westminster | 1 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek At Westminster | 1 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek Near Orodell | 65 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Orodell | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Francis Smart.
Boat launches
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
Campgrounds
- Tipi Village
- Standley Lake
- Clear Creek Rv Park
- Camp Patiya
- Rifleman Phillips Group Campground
- Aspen Meadow - Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Fishing spots
Track Francis Smart 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 Francis Smart
Where does the data for Francis Smart 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 Francis Smart.