Monument Lake dam
Monument Lake
Monument Lake, located in El Paso County, Colorado, is a picturesque reservoir with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1893. Managed by the local government, this earth dam structure serves multiple purposes including irrigation, recreation, and water supply for the surrounding area. With a maximum storage capacity of 922 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 305 acre-feet, Monument Lake covers a surface area of 31 acres and is fed by Monument Creek.
The dam stands at a height of 47 feet and has a hydraulic height of 34 feet, providing significant hazard potential due to its size and location. Despite this, the condition assessment conducted in May 2019 deemed the dam to be in satisfactory condition. Regular inspections are carried out every two years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. The spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 130 feet, allowing for the controlled release of excess water in the event of flooding.
Monument Lake is not only a vital water resource for the local community but also a popular recreational spot for residents and visitors alike. With its stunning natural surroundings and historical significance, this reservoir is not only a symbol of sustainable water management but also a testament to the enduring relationship between humans and their environment in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Monument Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Monument Creek At Palmer Lake | 1 cfs | → |
| Monument C Ab N.Gate Blvd At Usaf Academy | 7 cfs | → |
| West Monument Creek At Air Force Academy | 3 cfs | → |
| West Monument Creek Below Rampart Reservoir | 4 cfs | → |
| Pine Creek Abv Briargate Pkwy | 3 cfs | → |
| Monument Cr Abv Woodmen Rd At Colorado Springs | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Monument Lake.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Monument Lake (El Paso County)
- Palmer Lake
- Upper Reservoir - Palmer Lake
- Deadmans Creek
- Nichols Reservoir
- Rampart Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Cheeseman Dam To Wigman Club
- Private Land To Confluence With Beaver Creek
- Beaver Creek To Cheeseman Reservoir
- Wigman Club To Strontia Reservoir
- Cliffdale To Confluence With South Platte
- Eleven Mile Canyon Dam To Private Land In Vicinity Of Lake George
More reservoirs
Track Monument 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 Monument Lake
Where does the data for Monument 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 Monument Lake.