Castle #4 dam
Castle #4
Castle #4, also known as Pearl Lake, is a private fish and wildlife pond nestled in Hinsdale, Colorado. Built in 1928, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans a length of 1030 feet, providing a storage capacity of 167 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of serving as a fish and wildlife habitat, Castle #4 also caters to recreational activities in the area.
Located on North Clear Creek in South Fork, Colorado, Castle #4 boasts a surface area of 30 acres and a drainage area of 24 square miles. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has a high risk assessment rating of 2. Although last inspected in 1989, the dam remains in a condition that has not been rated, indicating the need for updated evaluations to ensure its safety and functionality for the surrounding environment.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate Castle #4 for its historical significance as a vital structure supporting the local ecosystem and recreational pursuits. As a regulated and inspected dam in Colorado, its presence contributes to the conservation efforts and water management strategies in the region. While its risk assessment highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance, Castle #4 remains a valuable asset for wildlife preservation and outdoor enjoyment in the picturesque surroundings of Hinsdale County.
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 Castle #4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 17 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 949 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Blw Lake San Cristobal Nr Lake City | 147 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Howardsville | 262 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Silverton | 281 cfs | → |
| Cement Creek At Silverton | 59 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Castle #4.
Boat launches
- Cr 11 Hinsdale County
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
- Devil's Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Rito Hondo
- Silver Thread Campground
- Silver Thread
- Bristol Head Campground
- North Clear Creek Campground
- North Clear Creek
Fishing spots
- Continental Reservoir
- Continental Reservoir Fishing Site
- Brown Lakes Swa
- Rito Hondo Reservoir
- Road Canyon Reservoir
- Road Canyon Reservoir Number 1
Paddle runs
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- Rincon La Vaca--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Osa--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Sierra Vandera--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Flint Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
More reservoirs
Track Castle #4 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 Castle #4
Where does the data for Castle #4 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 Castle #4.