Bruce Park dam
Bruce Park
Bruce Park, also known as Terror Creek, is a private water resource located in Paonia, Colorado. Managed by the state regulatory agency DWR, this dam serves multiple purposes including irrigation, fire protection, stock, small fish ponds, and water supply. Completed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 58 feet and has a storage capacity of 598 acre-feet, with a maximum discharge of 580 cubic feet per second.
With a surface area of 33 acres and a drainage area of zero, Bruce Park's high hazard potential and fair condition assessment make it a critical infrastructure for the surrounding community. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates contribute to its moderate risk assessment level. While it has no associated structures or locks, regular inspections ensure its safety and effectiveness in water management. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bruce Park offers a fascinating example of private irrigation infrastructure in Colorado.
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 Bruce Park -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E Fork Terror Cr Blw Cottonwood Stomp Nr Bowie | 0 cfs | → |
| Hubbard Creek Above Iron Point Gulch Nr Bowie | 6 cfs | → |
| Hubbard Creek At Highway 133 At Mouth Nr Bowie | 4 cfs | → |
| Terror Creek At Mouth Near Bowie | 2 cfs | → |
| North Fork Gunnison River Near Somerset | 836 cfs | → |
| Minnesota Creek Near Paonia | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bruce Park.
Boat launches
- Grand Avenue Delta County
- Bear Road Gunnison County
- Forest Road 125 Delta County
- Big Creek Reservoir Boat Launch Grand Valley Rd
- Forest Road 121 Mesa County
- Gunnison Forks
Campgrounds
- Paonia State Park
- Williams Creek Dispersed Camping Area
- Erickson Springs Campground- Paonia Rd
- Weir And Johnson
- Weir & Johnson Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Erickson Springs
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- West Fork Terror Creek
- Deep Creek
- Bogan Canyon
- South Fork--Headwaters To Beaver Lake
- Crystal Mill Falls
- Avalanche Down
More reservoirs
Track Bruce Park 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 Bruce Park
Where does the data for Bruce Park 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 Bruce Park.