Cole #5 dam
Cole #5
Cole #5 is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Cedaredge, Colorado, along the Surface Creek-TR river. Built in 1963 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 24 feet high with a hydraulic height of 28 feet, serving a primary purpose of irrigation. With a storage capacity of 201 acre-feet and a surface area of 17 acres, this structure plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its importance, Cole #5 has been deemed unsatisfactory in its condition assessment, posing a low hazard potential but with a high risk assessment rating of 2. The dam lacks a spillway and relies on uncontrolled outlet gates for water release. The last inspection in 2014 revealed deficiencies that need attention to ensure the safety and functionality of the dam. With state jurisdiction and regulatory oversight from the Colorado Division of Water Resources, continued monitoring and maintenance are essential to mitigate any potential risks associated with this structure.
As climate change impacts water resources and infrastructure resilience, the management of dams like Cole #5 becomes increasingly crucial. With a need for updates and improvements to meet modern safety standards, this irrigation dam highlights the intersection of water resource management, climate adaptation, and infrastructure maintenance. By investing in the upkeep and enhancement of such structures, we can better prepare for the challenges posed by a changing climate and ensure the sustainable use of water for irrigation and other essential purposes in the future.
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 Cole #5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Creek Near Cedaredge | 35 cfs | → |
| Surface Creek At Cedaredge | 39 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At Upper Station | 8 cfs | → |
| North Fk Gunnison River Above Mouth Nr Lazear | 482 cfs | → |
| E Fork Terror Cr Blw Cottonwood Stomp Nr Bowie | 0 cfs | → |
| North Fork Gunnison River Below Paonia | 49 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cole #5.
Boat launches
- Forest Road 125 Delta County
- Big Creek Reservoir Boat Launch Grand Valley Rd
- Forest Road 121 Mesa County
- Lakeshore Drive Delta County
- Ward Lake Boat Access - Grand Valley Rd
- State Highway 65 25261, Delta County
Campgrounds
- Twin Lake
- Twin Lake Dispersed Camping Area
- Weir & Johnson Campground - Grand Valley Rd
- Weir And Johnson
- Big Creek
- Big Creek Campground - Grand Valley Rd
Fishing spots
Track Cole #5 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 Cole #5
Where does the data for Cole #5 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 Cole #5.