Harris dam
Harris
Harris is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Garfield, Colorado, along the West Rifle Creek. Completed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 45 feet and has a storage capacity of 240 acre-feet. The dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation and has a spillway width of 11 feet, with two slide gates for outlet control. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam has undergone modifications in 1947 and 1998 to enhance its hydraulic, mechanical, and structural features.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Harris Dam is subject to state regulation and inspection to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has not been given a condition rating, but it is classified as having a moderate risk level. The surrounding area is at risk of inundation in the event of a failure, making risk management measures crucial for the protection of downstream communities and infrastructure. With a history of periodic inspections and maintenance, Harris Dam remains a vital component of the local irrigation system while posing manageable risks to its stakeholders.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change can appreciate the intricate design and engineering behind Harris Dam, as well as the ongoing efforts to mitigate potential risks associated with its operation. The dam's location in Rifle, Colorado, highlights the importance of sustainable water management practices in arid regions like Garfield County. By staying informed on the dam's condition and safety measures, stakeholders can contribute to the preservation of this critical water resource infrastructure amidst a changing climate and evolving regulatory landscape.
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 Harris -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 803 cfs | → |
| White River Above Coal Creek | 458 cfs | → |
| White River Near Meeker | 484 cfs | → |
| White River Below Meeker | 529 cfs | → |
| Piceance Creek Bl Ryan Gulch | 1 cfs | → |
| West Divide Creek Near Raven | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harris.
Campgrounds
- Cedar Mountain Camp
- Sage Campground
- Cedar Campground
- Rifle Gap State Park
- Rifle Falls State Park
- Rifle Mountain County Park
Fishing spots
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Lake Avery
- Deep Lake Fishing/Picnic Area Fishing Site
Track Harris 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 Harris
Where does the data for Harris 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 Harris.