Mt. Elbert Forebay dam
Mt. Elbert Forebay
Located in Lake, Colorado, Mt. Elbert Forebay is a federal-owned water resource designed for hydroelectric purposes. Completed in 1976 by the Bureau of Reclamation, this Earth dam stands at a height of 94 feet and has a storage capacity of 11,420 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 11,143 acre-feet. The dam regulates the flow of Box Creek TR and covers a surface area of 384 acres.
Mt. Elbert Forebay's high hazard potential and risk assessment of 2 highlight the importance of its maintenance and regulation. The dam, with a hydraulic height of 73 feet and a structural height of 94 feet, is inspected annually by the Bureau of Reclamation to ensure its safety and integrity. Despite its high hazard potential, the condition assessment of the dam is currently listed as "Not Available," emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures.
With its critical role in generating hydroelectric power and managing water resources in the region, Mt. Elbert Forebay serves as a key infrastructure asset in Colorado. As climate change continues to impact water resources and reservoir management, the importance of maintaining and monitoring structures like Mt. Elbert Forebay becomes increasingly crucial for ensuring water security and resilience in the face of evolving environmental 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 Mt. Elbert Forebay -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River Below Empire Gulch Near Malta | 90 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Above Twin Lakes Reservoir | 117 cfs | → |
| Halfmoon Creek Near Malta | 34 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Granite | 114 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Above Clear Creek Reservoir | 44 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Below Sugar Loaf Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mt. Elbert Forebay.
⚓ Boat launches
- Red Rooster Boating Site
- Dexter Point Boating Site
- Cr 390 Chaffee County
- Matchless Boating Site
- Turquoise Lake Trail Lake County
⛺ Campgrounds
More campgrounds →🎣 Fishing spots
- Mount Elbert Forebay
- Big Mac Fishing Site
- Whistler Point
- Deception Point Fishing Site
- Sunnyside Fishing Site
- Moache Fishing Site
Track Mt. Elbert Forebay 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 Mt. Elbert Forebay
Where does the data for Mt. Elbert Forebay 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 Mt. Elbert Forebay.