Big Tooth dam
Big Tooth
Big Tooth, also known as South Ruxton Creek, is a historic rockfill dam located in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Built in 1927 by URS Corporation, this local government-owned structure is regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources and serves as a crucial water supply source for the region. Standing at a height of 102 feet and with a storage capacity of 810 acre-feet, Big Tooth plays a vital role in managing water resources in El Paso County.
With a spillway width of 30 feet and a maximum discharge of 3655 cubic feet per second, Big Tooth has been classified as having a high hazard potential. Despite this, the dam's condition assessment in 2020 rated it as satisfactory, ensuring its continued safe operation for the community. The risk assessment for Big Tooth indicates a moderate risk level, with adequate risk management measures in place to address any potential concerns.
As a key component of the local water supply infrastructure, Big Tooth represents a blend of historical significance and modern engineering. Its role in regulating South Ruxton Creek and providing essential water storage underscores its importance in supporting the region's water resource management efforts, making it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Big Tooth -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Waldo Canyon Abv Mouth Near Manitou Springs | · | → |
| Bear Creek Near Colorado Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek At Cascade | 68 cfs | → |
| Williams Canyon Abv Mouth Near Manitou Springs | 0 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek Near Colorado Springs | 12 cfs | → |
| Camp Creek At Garden Of The Gods | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Tooth.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Mason Reservoir
- Mcreynolds Reservoir
- Crystal Creek Reservoir
- Rosemont Reservoir
- South Catamount Reservoir
- North Catamount Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Big Tooth 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 Big Tooth
Where does the data for Big Tooth 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 Big Tooth.