Glacier Lake dam
Glacier Lake
Glacier Lake, located in Boulder, Colorado, is a privately owned earth dam with a primary purpose of irrigation. Completed in 1905, this dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a storage capacity of 329 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 20 acres and is situated along the Pennsylvania Gulch river stream.
Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, Glacier Lake is subject to regular state inspection, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 18 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 353 cubic feet per second. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Glacier Lake serves as both an irrigation resource and a recreational spot for enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate-related activities.
Overall, Glacier Lake presents an intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts, showcasing the blend of historical infrastructure with modern regulatory practices. Its location in the picturesque Boulder County, along with its dual purpose of irrigation and recreation, makes it a compelling site for those interested in the intersection of human development and natural resource management. With ongoing inspections and state oversight, Glacier Lake remains a vital component of the local water management 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 Glacier Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Boulder Creek At Nederland | 112 cfs | → |
| South St. Vrain Creek Near Ward | 49 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek Near Orodell | 94 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Orodell | 3 cfs | → |
| Moffat Water Tunnel At East Portal | 215 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Glacier Lake.
Boat launches
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Cr 6 Grand County
- Boat Launch Grand Lake
- Grand County
Campgrounds
- Gordon Gulch Dispersed Camping Area
- Rainbow Lakes Campground
- Rainbow Lakes
- West Magnolia
- Caribou Dispersed Camping Area
- Pawnee Campground
Fishing spots
- Barker Reservoir
- Rainbow Lakes - Ipwa
- Left Hand Reservoir - Ipwa
- Moraine Lake - Ipwa
- Red Rock Lake - Ipwa
- Brainard Lake - Ipwa
Track Glacier Lake 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 Glacier Lake
Where does the data for Glacier Lake 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 Glacier Lake.