St. Charles Mesa dam
St. Charles Mesa
St. Charles Mesa, located in Pueblo, Colorado, is a vital water supply infrastructure owned and regulated by the state. Completed in 1975, this earth dam stands at 16 feet high and serves the primary purpose of water supply for the area. With a storage capacity of 109 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 91 acre-feet, St. Charles Mesa plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, St. Charles Mesa is currently in fair condition as of the last assessment in October 2020. The dam has a hydraulic height of 13 feet and a structural height of 23 feet, with a length of 1970 feet and a surface area of 6 acres. While there are no associated structures, the dam's location on the St. Charles River-OS ensures a reliable water source for the surrounding community.
With state oversight and regular inspections, St. Charles Mesa is well-maintained to meet the water supply needs of Pueblo, Colorado. The risk assessment for this dam is high, emphasizing the importance of continued monitoring and risk management measures. As a crucial part of the water infrastructure in the area, St. Charles Mesa serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 St. Charles Mesa -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River Tributary Above Hwy 227 At Pueblo | 39 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Moffat Street At Pueblo | 372 cfs | → |
| St. Charles River At Vineland | 5 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek At Pueblo | 124 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Above Pueblo | 375 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Near Avondale | 281 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near St. Charles Mesa.
Campgrounds
- Arkansas Point - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Juniper Breaks - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Prairie Ridge Campground
- Eagle View Campground
- Northern Plains - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Yucca Flat Campground
Fishing spots
- Lake Minnequa
- Valco Ponds (North Gateway Park)
- Pueblo Reservoir
- Teller Reservoir
- Lake Beckwith
- Brush Hollow Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track St. Charles Mesa 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 St. Charles Mesa
Where does the data for St. Charles Mesa 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 Significant 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 St. Charles Mesa.