Mcmahon #2 dam
Mcmahon #2
Located in Kremmling, Colorado, McMahon #2, also known as Red Dirt Reservoir, is a privately owned earth dam structure built in 1913 for irrigation purposes on Red Dirt Creek. With a dam height of 48 feet and a storage capacity of 4570 acre-feet, this reservoir provides essential water resources for agricultural activities in the area. The dam has undergone several modifications over the years, enhancing its hydraulic, mechanical, and structural components to ensure its continued functionality.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential and a fair condition assessment, McMahon #2 is regularly inspected by the Colorado Division of Water Resources to ensure its safety and integrity. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate, emphasizing a commitment to effective water management and emergency preparedness. With a moderate risk assessment rating, ongoing risk management measures are in place to address any potential challenges and maintain the stability of the structure for future generations.
Overall, McMahon #2 serves as a vital component of the local water infrastructure, highlighting the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climatic conditions. Its historical significance, engineering design, and continued maintenance efforts showcase a dedication to preserving water resources and adapting to the evolving needs of the community in a region known for its reliance on irrigation for agricultural production.
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 Mcmahon #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Muddy Creek Above Antelope Creek Nr. Kremmling | 73 cfs | → |
| Muddy Crk Blw Wolford Mtn Reser. Nr Kremmling | 20 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Kremmling | 227 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 6 cfs | → |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 372 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mcmahon #2.
Boat launches
- Confluence Rec Site Boat Ramp
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
- Radium Rec Site Boat Ramp
- Two Bridges Boat Ramp
- State Bridge Boat Ramp
- State Bridge River Access
Campgrounds
- Red Dirt Reservoir Recreation Area
- Gore Pass
- Rock Creek Recreation Area
- Blacktail Creek Campground
- Blacktail Creek
- Lynx Pass Campground
Fishing spots
- Wolford Mountain Reservoir
- Stagecoach Reservoir
- Kidney Lake
- Slack-Weiss Reservoir
- Williams Fork Reservoir
- Casey`S Pond
Track Mcmahon #2 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 Mcmahon #2
Where does the data for Mcmahon #2 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 Mcmahon #2.