Manitou Park Lake dam
Manitou Park Lake
Manitou Park Lake in Teller County, Colorado, is a picturesque water resource nestled in the heart of nature, specifically along Trout Creek. Managed by the USDA Forest Service, this Federal-owned lake was completed in 1937 primarily for recreational purposes, including fishing and wildlife enjoyment. With a dam height of 24 feet and a storage capacity of 290 acre-feet, the lake provides a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts.
Despite its tranquil setting, Manitou Park Lake poses a significant hazard potential, classified as "Significant." While the dam's condition assessment is listed as "Not Rated," regular state-regulated inspections, permitting, and enforcement ensure its safety and compliance. The risk assessment is moderate, suggesting the need for ongoing risk management measures to mitigate potential issues and ensure the community's safety.
Surrounded by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, Manitou Park Lake offers a peaceful retreat for locals and visitors alike. With its rich history dating back to the 1930s, the lake continues to be a popular spot for outdoor activities and wildlife observation. As climate change impacts water resources, the management of Manitou Park Lake serves as a crucial example of balancing recreation with safety and environmental conservation in the face of evolving 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 Manitou Park Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Cr. Abv Shrewsbury Gulch Nr Westcreek Co | 1 cfs | → |
| Trout Creek Blw Fern Cr Nr Westcreek | 1 cfs | → |
| West Monument Creek Below Rampart Reservoir | 4 cfs | → |
| Monument Creek At Palmer Lake | 1 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Below Cheesman Lake | 229 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Above Cheesman Lake | 263 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Manitou Park Lake.
Boat launches
- Forest Road 96.I Park County
- Thirtynine Mile Road Park County
- Skagway Road Teller County
- Tarryall Road Park County
Campgrounds
- Painted Rocks Campground
- Painted Rocks
- Colorado Campground
- Colorado
- Pike Community Group Campground
- South Meadows
Fishing spots
- Manitou Lake
- Upper Reservoir - Palmer Lake
- Rampart Reservoir
- Palmer Lake
- Homestake Fishing Site
- Nichols Reservoir
Track Manitou Park 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 Manitou Park Lake
Where does the data for Manitou Park 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 Significant 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 Manitou Park Lake.