Elk Creek #1 dam
Elk Creek #1
Elk Creek #1, located in Colorado, serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife, as well as irrigation purposes. Constructed in 1946, this earth dam stands at 21 feet high and spans 243 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is to support the local ecosystem and agricultural needs, making it a crucial asset for water resource management in the region.
Managed by a private owner and regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Elk Creek #1 poses a low hazard potential with a high risk assessment rating. Despite not being inspected since 1991, the dam remains in satisfactory condition, although its emergency action plan and risk management measures are not currently in place. With a drainage area of 15 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 3,392 cubic feet per second, Elk Creek #1 plays a significant role in controlling water flow and supporting the surrounding environment.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the critical role that Elk Creek #1 plays in sustaining local ecosystems and supporting agricultural activities is essential. With its rich history dating back to 1946, this earth dam continues to provide vital water storage and management functions, highlighting the importance of responsible dam operation and maintenance to ensure long-term sustainability and safety for the community and the environment.
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 Elk Creek #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Rio Grande At South Fork | 474 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 105 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 819 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande Near Del Norte | 1,440 cfs | → |
| Pinos Creek Near Del Norte | 32 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork Bel Cropsy Creek At Summitville | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elk Creek #1.
Boat launches
- Alberta Lake Fishing Site
- Platoro Reservoir Boating Site
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Alder Guard Station
- Highway Springs Campground
- Highway Springs
- Lower Beaver Creek
- Lower Beaver Creek Campground
- Upper Beaver Creek
Fishing spots
- Million Reservoir Fishing Site
- Beaver Creek Reservoir
- Shaw Lake
- Big Meadows Reservoir
- Pass Creek Lake Fishing Site
- Poage Lake Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Sec 30, T41n, R2e To Sec 11, T40n, R2e
- Below Big Meadows Reservoir Dam To Sec 9 And 10, T39n, R3e
- Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
- Headwaters (Sec 21, T38n, R1e) To 1/4 Mile Above Big Meadows Reservoir
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- East Fork--Unnamed Ponds Approx 1/4 Mile Below Continental Divide To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
Track Elk Creek #1 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 Elk Creek #1
Where does the data for Elk Creek #1 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 Elk Creek #1.