Sylvan Lake dam
Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake, also known as Zircher Reservoir, is a captivating water resource nestled in the heart of Colorado's Eagle County. This state-owned reservoir, completed in 1947, serves as a recreational haven for water and climate enthusiasts alike. With a stunning surface area of 43 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 718 acre-feet, Sylvan Lake provides a picturesque backdrop for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming.
The dam at Sylvan Lake stands at a height of 28 feet, with a multi-arch design supported by rock and soil foundations. The reservoir's spillway, measuring 435 feet in width, features an uncontrolled flow system to manage excess water. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Sylvan Lake's condition assessment is deemed satisfactory, with regular inspections and a risk assessment rating of moderate. The reservoir plays a vital role in the local ecosystem, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area.
Located just 15 miles from the city of Eagle, Sylvan Lake is a serene oasis along West Brush Creek. With its rich history and stunning natural beauty, this reservoir continues to be a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature and enjoy the wonders of Colorado's 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 Sylvan Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fryingpan River At Meredith | 201 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River Near Ruedi | 117 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River Near Thomasville | 156 cfs | → |
| North Fork Fryingpan River Near Norrie | 37 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Near Edwards | 116 cfs | → |
| Eagle R Bl Wastewater Treatment Plant At Avon | 546 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sylvan Lake.
Boat launches
- Eagle Valley Trail Avon
- Wolcott Boat Ramp
- Homestake Reservoir Boat Ramp Day Use Area
- Wingo Boat Ramp
- Community Boat Ramp
- Dotsero Landing Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Sylvan Lake State Park
- Yeoman Park
- Yeoman Park Campground
- Fulford Cave Campground
- Fulford Cave
- Little Mattie
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Lower Eagle (Edwards Water Plant To Eagle)
- Headwaters To Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary
- Avon Whitewater Park
- Riverbend To Edwards (Upper Eagle)
- Dowd Chute
More reservoirs
Track Sylvan Lake 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 Sylvan Lake
Where does the data for Sylvan Lake 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 Sylvan Lake.