Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17 dam
Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17
Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17, also known as Ververs South, is a crucial flood risk reduction structure located in El Paso County, Colorado. This earth dam, designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1959, stands at a height of 40 feet and stretches to a length of 2387 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 371 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 7603 cubic feet per second, this structure plays a vital role in managing water flow and reducing flood risks in the Big Sandy Creek-TR river system.
Managed by the local government in Simla, Colorado, Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17 is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources to ensure its proper maintenance and operation. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the structure poses a high risk (2) due to its critical role in flood risk reduction within the region. With a last inspection date in October 2020 and an inspection frequency of 3 years, efforts are consistently made to monitor and manage the structure to meet regulatory standards and protect the surrounding communities and environment.
The importance of Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17 lies in its essential function of flood risk reduction, providing a protective barrier against potential inundation and safeguarding the local area from water-related disasters. With a history dating back to its completion in 1959, this earth dam continues to serve as a vital component of water resource management in the region, highlighting the ongoing efforts to maintain and improve infrastructure for climate resilience and water security in El Paso County, Colorado.
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 Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Creek At Woodmen Rd Nr Colo Springs | 28 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Ck At Union Blvd | 28 cfs | → |
| Pine Creek Abv Briargate Pkwy | 3 cfs | → |
| Cherry Creek Near Franktown | 6 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood Creek At Mouth | 32 cfs | → |
| Monument Cr Abv Woodmen Rd At Colorado Springs | 69 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17.
Track Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17 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 Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17
Where does the data for Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17 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 Big Sandy Creek Watershed S-17.