South Muddy Creek dam
South Muddy Creek
South Muddy Creek is a vital water resource in Las Animas, Colorado, serving as an irrigation source for the local community. The dam, constructed in 1929 by USDA NRCS, stands at 25 feet high and spans 1250 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 123 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is to support agricultural activities in the region, ensuring a reliable water supply for farmers along South Muddy Creek.
Despite its age, South Muddy Creek Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The spillway, with a width of 100 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for safe water release during periods of high flow. While the dam's condition assessment is currently unavailable, ongoing risk management measures are in place to maintain the structure's integrity and ensure the safety of downstream communities. With its strategic location and importance for irrigation, South Muddy Creek Dam remains a key asset in the region's water management infrastructure.
Managed by private owners, South Muddy Creek Dam exemplifies the collaborative efforts between government agencies and local stakeholders to sustainably manage water resources in Colorado. As a key feature along South Muddy Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural livelihoods and maintaining a reliable water supply for the community of Gardner. With a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, South Muddy Creek Dam stands as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of those who have worked to harness the power of water for the benefit of all.
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 South Muddy Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Costilla Creek Above Costilla Dam | 2 cfs | → |
| Casias Creek Near Costilla | 4 cfs | → |
| Santistevan Creek Near Costilla | 1 cfs | → |
| Costilla Creek Below Costilla Dam | 29 cfs | → |
| Purgatoire River At Madrid | 13 cfs | → |
| Vermejo River Near Dawson | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Muddy Creek.
Campgrounds
- Monument Lake Park
- Whiteman Vega
- Mccrystal Creek Camp
- Mccrystal Campground
- Mccrystal
- Little Costilla Camp
Fishing spots
- Monument Reservoir (Trinidad)
- North Lake
- Shuree Lakes Fishing
- Sanchez Reservoir
- Trinidad Reservoir
- Red River Fishing
Paddle runs
- Nf Boundary To Above Mccrystal Campground
- Headwaters To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Costilla Creek
- Headwaters To Comanche Point
- Headwaters To Comanche Creek
More reservoirs
Track South Muddy Creek 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 South Muddy Creek
Where does the data for South Muddy Creek 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 Low 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 South Muddy Creek.