Alexander Lake dam
Alexander Lake
Nestled in the picturesque city of Cedaredge, Colorado, Alexander Lake, also known as Reservoir #8, stands as a vital water resource for irrigation and recreation. This private-owned reservoir, completed in 1886, spans a surface area of 24 acres and holds a maximum storage capacity of 303 acre-feet. Surrounded by the serene Ward Creek and situated within the Delta County, Alexander Lake serves as a lifeline for agricultural activities in the region.
With its earth dam structure standing at a height of 11 feet and a length of 138 feet, Alexander Lake boasts a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment. Despite its modest size, the reservoir plays a crucial role in water management and supports a variety of recreational activities for locals and visitors alike. The absence of a spillway is compensated by slide and uncontrolled outlet gates, ensuring the steady flow of water for irrigation purposes.
Managed and regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Alexander Lake showcases a harmonious blend of functionality and natural beauty. Its historical significance and practical utility make it a hidden gem for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the intersection of human intervention and environmental sustainability in the heart of Colorado's scenic landscape.
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 Alexander Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 20 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 34 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 39 cfs | → |
| Plateau Creek Near Cameo | 23 cfs | → |
| North Fk Gunnison River Above Mouth Nr Lazear | 497 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River At Delta | 826 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alexander Lake.
Boat launches
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- Z Road Delta County
- Lakeshore Drive Delta County
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
- Forest Road 125 Delta County
- Big Creek Reservoir Boat Launch Grand Valley Rd
Campgrounds
- Ward Lake
- Ward Lake Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Carp Lake
- Cobbett Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Little Bear Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Kiser Creek
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Gunnison River Segment 2
- West Fork Terror Creek
- Roubideau Creek Segment 2
- The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument-Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
- Deep Creek
- Roubideau Creek Segment 1
More reservoirs
Track Alexander 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 Alexander Lake
Where does the data for Alexander 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 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 Alexander Lake.