Wildcat dam
Wildcat
Wildcat is a private dam located in Pitkin County, Colorado, specifically in the city of Basalt. Built in 1953, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 75 feet and has a structural height of 94 feet, with a length of 1120 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, with a normal storage capacity of 1100 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1520 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Wildcat Creek and serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the area.
The Wildcat dam has a high hazard potential and is regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, with the necessary permits, inspections, and enforcement in place. The dam underwent modifications in 1971 to improve its foundation, hydraulic, mechanical, and other components. Its spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 70 feet. The dam's condition is assessed as satisfactory, with the last inspection conducted in July 2020, and a risk assessment categorizes it as moderate.
Despite its risk potential, Wildcat continues to provide a valuable recreational resource for the community, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities. With its scenic location and historical significance, the dam serves as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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 Wildcat -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Creek Near Aspen | 8 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River Near Aspen | 150 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River Near Ruedi | 117 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River Near Emma | 508 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River Ab Difficult C Nr Aspen | 54 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River At Meredith | 230 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wildcat.
Boat launches
- Wingo Boat Ramp
- Grizzly Creek Garfield County
- Homestake Reservoir Boat Ramp Day Use Area
- Bear Road Gunnison County
- Community Boat Ramp
- Dotsero Landing Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Fryingpan River
- Christine Lake
- Ruedi Reservoir
- Emerald Lake (Crested Butte)
- Beaver Lake Swa (Marble)
- Lost Man Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Castle Creek
- North Fork--Headwaters To Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Boundary
- Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With South Fork
- Beaver Lake To Sweet Jessup Headgate
- Crystal Mill Falls
- Avalanche Down
More reservoirs
Track Wildcat 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 Wildcat
Where does the data for Wildcat 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 Wildcat.