Park dam
Park
Located in Garfield, Colorado, the Park Dam, also known as West Elk, stands as a crucial infrastructure for irrigation purposes since its completion in 1906. This private-owned Earth dam on West Elk Creek boasts a height of 38 feet and a length of 520 feet, with a storage capacity of 174 acre-feet. With a significant hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam is under state regulation and receives regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Managed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the Park Dam plays a vital role in water resource management in the area, serving as a key irrigation source for agricultural activities. With a spillway type of uncontrolled and a maximum discharge capacity of 390 cubic feet per second, the dam is designed to handle and control water flow effectively. Despite its age, the dam continues to be operational and meets regulatory standards for inspection, enforcement, and permitting, highlighting its importance in sustaining water availability for the surrounding community.
As an integral part of the water infrastructure in New Castle, Colorado, the Park Dam not only provides essential irrigation water but also contributes to the local ecosystem and economy. With a moderate risk assessment rating and regular maintenance efforts, the dam demonstrates a commitment to ensuring public safety and water resource sustainability. Its historical significance and functional role make it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and community development.
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 Park -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 477 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs | 655 cfs | → |
| White River Above Coal Creek | 183 cfs | → |
| West Divide Creek Near Raven | 34 cfs | → |
| White River Near Meeker | 230 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Park.
⚓ Boat launches
- New Castle
- South Canyon Boat Ramp
- I 70 Garfield County
- Grizzly Creek Garfield County
- Lyon's Gulch Boat Ramp
⛺ Campgrounds
- West Elk Area Campsite
- West Elk Ridge Camp
- Rifle Falls State Park
- Rifle Mountain Park
- Rifle Mountain County Park
- Tiki Mine Camp
🎣 Fishing spots
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Deep Lake Fishing/Picnic Area Fishing Site
- Lake Avery
🛶 Paddle runs
More paddle runs →Track Park 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 Park
Where does the data for Park 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 Significant 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 Park.