Crystal dam
Crystal
Crystal is a federal-owned dam located in Montrose, Colorado, on the Gunnison River, with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1977, this concrete arch dam stands at a height of 227 feet and has a hydraulic height of 225 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 30,726 acre-feet. With a surface area of 301 acres and a drainage area of 323 square miles, Crystal plays a significant role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, Crystal is subject to state regulation and inspection to ensure its safety and proper operation. With a high hazard potential and a risk assessment rating of 2 (high), it is crucial for emergency preparedness measures to be in place. Despite its critical role in power generation and water storage, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Available," highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to safeguard this vital infrastructure.
With its impressive structural specifications and vital role in water management, Crystal stands as a testament to the intersection of engineering excellence and environmental stewardship. As climate change continues to impact water resources, dams like Crystal play a crucial role in ensuring a reliable water supply for communities while also mitigating the risks associated with extreme weather events. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, understanding the intricacies of dam infrastructure like Crystal is essential for fostering sustainable water management practices in the face of a changing climate.
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 Crystal -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gunnison River Below Gunnison Tunnel | 303 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Bl Squaw Creek | 42 cfs | → |
| Smith Fork Near Lazear | 1 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River At Colona | 83 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Near Cimarron | 100 cfs | → |
| N.F. Gunnison R Blw Leroux Cr | 643 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crystal.
Boat launches
- Chukar Boat Ramp
- Ponderosa Campground Gunnison County
- Us 50 Sapinero
- Dillon Pinnacles Trail Gunnison County
- Ouray County
- Delta County
Campgrounds
- East Portal - Curecanti National Rec Area
- East Portal Campground
- Crystal Creek Boat-In Campsite
- South Rim - Gunnison National Park
- South Rim Campground
- Cimarron - Curecanti National Rec Area
Fishing spots
- Crystal Reservoir
- Gould Reservoir
- Morrow Point Reservoir
- Crawford Reservoir
- Chipeta Lakes Swa
- Beaver Lake Day Use Area/ Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- The Southern Boundary Of The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument To The Painted Wall
- Gunnison Gorge
- The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument-Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
- Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Morrow Point Reservoir
- Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Blue Mesa Reservoir
Track Crystal 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 Crystal
Where does the data for Crystal 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 Crystal.