Kossler dam
Kossler
Located in Eldorado Springs, Colorado, Kossler is a local government-owned dam with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1909, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and stretches 450 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 220 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 180 acre-feet, Kossler utilizes the waters of Woods Gulch for its operations.
The dam has been deemed to have a high hazard potential, but its condition assessment as of June 2020 was reported as satisfactory. Kossler's spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 22 feet, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 300 cubic feet per second. In the event of an emergency, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) was last revised in May 2014, and it meets regulatory guidelines.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kossler serves as a notable example of a historic dam that continues to play a vital role in hydroelectric power generation. With its location in the scenic Boulder County, this dam not only provides renewable energy but also underscores the importance of proper maintenance and emergency preparedness in ensuring the safety and efficiency of water infrastructure.
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 Kossler -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder Creek Near Orodell | 65 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Orodell | 2 cfs | → |
| Coal Creek Near Plainview | 1 cfs | → |
| Middle Boulder Creek At Nederland | 122 cfs | → |
| Boulder Cr At North 75th St Nr Boulder | 53 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kossler.
Boat launches
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Fairway Drive Evergreen
Campgrounds
- Camp Patiya
- Rifleman Phillips Group Campground
- Aspen Meadow - Golden Gate Canyon State Park
- Site 08
- Gordon Gulch Dispersed Camping Area
- Loop J 88-97
Fishing spots
- Viele Lake
- Maxwell Lake
- Thunderbird Lake
- Wonderland Lake
- Boulder Ponds
- Cottonwood Lake (Pearl Parkway Boulder)
Track Kossler 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 Kossler
Where does the data for Kossler 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 Kossler.