Brett Gray dam
Brett Gray
Brett Gray, also known as Sanborn Dam, is a privately owned irrigation structure located in Lincoln County, Colorado, along the Steels Fork river. Built in 1939 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 23 feet and serves the primary purpose of irrigation, with a storage capacity of 570 acre-feet and a drainage area of 48 square miles. Despite being rated as having low hazard potential, Brett Gray faces a high risk level due to its age and lack of recent condition assessments.
Operated and regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Brett Gray has state jurisdiction and is subject to permitting, inspection, and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam does not have a spillway and is not equipped with outlet gates or locks, highlighting its simple structure and design. Although last inspected in 1990, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status are unknown, raising concerns about its ability to address potential hazards and emergencies effectively.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Brett Gray presents an intriguing case study of an aging irrigation dam in rural Colorado. The dam's historical significance, engineering design, and risk assessment provide valuable insights into the challenges and considerations involved in managing and maintaining water infrastructure in a changing climate. As efforts to address aging infrastructure and improve dam safety continue, Brett Gray serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive maintenance and monitoring to ensure the reliability and resilience of our water resources.
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 Brett Gray -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Huerfano River Near Boone | 1 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Near Nepesta | 206 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek Near Fountain | 95 cfs | → |
| Jimmy Camp Creek At Fountain | 1 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek Near Pinon | 41 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Catlin Dam | 42 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brett Gray.
Track Brett Gray 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 Brett Gray
Where does the data for Brett Gray 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 Brett Gray.