Brush Hollow dam
Brush Hollow
Brush Hollow, located in Fremont County, Colorado, is a captivating earth dam structure built in 1922 for irrigation purposes along Brush Hollow Creek. Managed by a private owner, the dam stands at a height of 90 feet and has a storage capacity of 5,071 acre-feet, providing vital water resources for the region. With a surface area of 168 acres and a drainage area of 8 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in supplying water for irrigation and recreational activities.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 275 feet, is uncontrolled, and the structure has a high hazard potential due to its location and design. Despite this, the dam is in satisfactory condition, as confirmed by regular inspections by the Colorado Department of Water Resources. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's emergency action plan is up to date, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place in case of an emergency. Brush Hollow remains a significant water resource and a vital part of the local ecosystem, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
For those interested in water resource management and climate resilience, Brush Hollow offers a fascinating case study in dam infrastructure and its impact on the surrounding environment. With its rich history, high hazard potential, and critical role in providing water for irrigation and recreational purposes, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. As a privately owned structure regulated by the state, Brush Hollow represents a unique blend of public safety, environmental stewardship, and water resource utilization in the heart of Colorado's scenic landscape.
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 Brush Hollow -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek Above Highway 115 Near Penrose | · | → |
| Arkansas River At Portland | 307 cfs | → |
| Beaver Cr Abv Upper Beaver Cemetery Nr Penrose | 5 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Canon City | 389 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Nr Stone City | 0 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Ab Teller Res Near Stone City | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brush Hollow.
Boat launches
- Skagway Road Teller County
- Ahra - Parkdale Rec Site
- Ahra - Spikebuck Rec Site
- Ahra - Pinnacle Rock Rec Site
Campgrounds
- Turkey Creek Military - Fort Carson
- Sand Gulch Campground Campsite 16
- Sand Gulch Campground Campsite 15
- Sand Gulch Campground Campsite 14
- Sand Gulch Campground Campsite 13
- Sand Gulch Campground Campsite 12
Fishing spots
- Brush Hollow Reservoir
- Teller Reservoir
- Skaguay Reservoir
- Rosemont Reservoir
- Pueblo Reservoir
- Mcreynolds Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Brush Hollow 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 Brush Hollow
Where does the data for Brush Hollow 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 Brush Hollow.