Road Canyon #2 dam
Road Canyon #2
Road Canyon #2 is a state-regulated earthen dam located in the beautiful Hinsdale County, Colorado, near the city of South Fork. Built in 1922 for recreational purposes, this dam on Road Canyon Creek stands at a height of 17 feet and has a storage capacity of 224 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, this dam provides essential fish and wildlife habitat and serves as a popular recreational spot for visitors.
The dam, measuring 375 feet in length and covering a surface area of 20 acres, is an integral part of the local ecosystem, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and water-based recreation. Despite being last inspected in 2010, with an inspection frequency of every 6 years, the dam is deemed to be in fair condition and poses a low risk of hazard. With a maximum discharge capacity of 438 cubic feet per second, the dam contributes to the conservation and management of water resources in the area.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the historical significance and environmental impact of Road Canyon #2, which continues to play a vital role in the maintenance of the surrounding watershed. As a state-regulated structure with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement, this dam exemplifies responsible water management practices and underscores the importance of maintaining infrastructure for both recreational and ecological purposes in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Road Canyon #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 719 cfs | → |
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 17 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Blw Lake San Cristobal Nr Lake City | 135 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 131 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Howardsville | 226 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Road Canyon #2.
Boat launches
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Cr 11 Hinsdale County
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
- Devil's Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
- Alberta Lake Fishing Site
Campgrounds
- Road Canyon
- Road Canyon Campground
- River Hill
- River Hill Campground
- Crooked Creek Dispersed Area
- Thirty Mile Campground
Fishing spots
- Road Canyon Dam Fishing Site
- Road Canyon Reservoir Number 1
- Road Canyon Reservoir
- Brown Lakes Swa
- Continental Reservoir
- Continental Reservoir Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Vaca--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Osa--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Sierra Vandera--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Road Canyon #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 Road Canyon #2
Where does the data for Road Canyon #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 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 Road Canyon #2.