Dry Creek Flood Control dam
Dry Creek Flood Control
Dry Creek Flood Control in Fremont, Colorado, is a crucial structure designed by the USDA NRCS to reduce flood risks in the area. Completed in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 29 feet and has a structural height of 34 feet, with a length of 1072 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 252 acre-feet and normal storage of 157 acre-feet, the dam plays a vital role in protecting the region from potential flooding events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Dry Creek Flood Control has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed as satisfactory in condition. With a spillway width of 90 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 2450 cubic feet per second, the dam is well-equipped to handle excess water flow. Despite its moderate risk rating, the structure meets guidelines for emergency action plans and risk management measures, ensuring the safety of nearby residents and infrastructure in the event of a flood.
Situated in a strategic location along Dry Creek, this flood control system serves as a critical line of defense against natural disasters. With regular inspections and a designated emergency action plan, Dry Creek Flood Control remains a key asset in safeguarding the community of Florence and surrounding areas from the impacts of extreme weather events and potential flooding risks.
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 Dry Creek Flood Control -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River At Portland | 334 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Canon City | 366 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Above Highway 115 Near Penrose | · | → |
| Beaver Cr Abv Upper Beaver Cemetery Nr Penrose | 4 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Parkdale | 482 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Nr Stone City | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dry Creek Flood Control.
Boat launches
- Ahra - Parkdale Rec Site
- Ahra - Spikebuck Rec Site
- Ahra - Pinnacle Rock Rec Site
- Skagway Road Teller County
- Ahra - Lone Pine Rec Site
Campgrounds
- Oak Creek
- Grape Creek - Temple Canyon Park
- Sand Gulch Campground Campsite 16
- Sand Gulch Campground Campsite 15
- Sand Gulch Campground Campsite 14
- Sand Gulch Campground Campsite 13
Fishing spots
- Brush Hollow Reservoir
- Teller Reservoir
- Deweese Reservoir
- Skaguay Reservoir
- Pueblo Reservoir
- Valco Ponds (North Gateway Park)
Paddle runs
Track Dry Creek Flood Control 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 Dry Creek Flood Control
Where does the data for Dry Creek Flood Control 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 Dry Creek Flood Control.