Metroz Park dam
Metroz Park
Metroz Park, Lower is a privately owned fish and wildlife pond situated in Mineral County, Colorado. The dam, completed in 1907, stands at a height of 35 feet and serves as a recreational spot along Decker Creek. With a storage capacity of 595 acre-feet, the pond covers a surface area of 40 acres and has a drainage area of 6 square miles. The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 40 feet and can handle a maximum discharge of 1176 cubic feet per second.
This picturesque location, nestled in South Fork, Colorado, not only provides opportunities for outdoor recreation but also serves as a vital habitat for fish and wildlife. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam at Metroz Park, Lower is in satisfactory condition as per the latest inspection conducted in October 2020. The facility is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and is subject to regular permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Metroz Park, Lower offers a unique glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. As efforts continue to manage the risk associated with the dam and enhance its resilience to potential hazards, this site stands as a testament to the balance between conservation and recreational activities in a changing climate. With its rich history and ongoing stewardship, Metroz Park, Lower exemplifies the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Metroz Park -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Rio Grande At South Fork | 71 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 20 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 209 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork Bel Cropsy Creek At Summitville | 4 cfs | → |
| Pinos Creek Near Del Norte | 6 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande Near Del Norte | 291 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Metroz Park.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Metroz Park
Where does the data for Metroz 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 High 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 below 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.
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.