Upper Dome dam
Upper Dome
Upper Dome is a state-regulated dam located in Saguache, Colorado, specifically in the city of Gunnison. Completed in 1975, this Earth type dam stands at a height of 33 feet with a hydraulic height of 38 feet and a structural height of 50 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 880 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1330 acre-feet, Upper Dome serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond for recreational purposes. The dam spans 540 feet in length and has a surface area of 75 acres, providing essential habitat for local wildlife.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Upper Dome has a low hazard potential but a very high risk assessment due to its age and condition. The dam is equipped with a controlled spillway, outlet gates, and has a maximum discharge capacity of 850 cubic feet per second. Despite its fair condition assessment as of August 2019, the dam undergoes inspections every six years to ensure its continued safety and functionality. Surrounding Cochtopa Creek-TR, Upper Dome plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing environmental benefits to the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate Upper Dome's significance in supporting fish and wildlife populations, as well as its role in recreational activities. As a vital structure within the local watershed, this dam not only provides storage for water resources but also helps in flood control and habitat preservation. With its state-regulated status and adherence to inspection and enforcement protocols, Upper Dome showcases the commitment to sustainable water management practices in 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 Upper Dome -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cochetopa Creek Below Rock Creek Nr Parlin | 7 cfs | → |
| Tomichi Creek At Sargents | 46 cfs | → |
| Saguache Creek Near Saguache | 44 cfs | → |
| Tomichi Creek At Gunnison | 10 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Gunnison | 668 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork At Gateview | 283 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Dome.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Cochetopa Site #1
- Luders Creek
- Luders Creek Campground
- Cochetopa Site #2
- Cochetopa Site #3
- Cochetopa Site #4
Fishing spots
- Dome Lakes
- Mcdonough Reservoir
- Needle Creek Reservoir
- Tomichi Creek
- Rito Hondo Reservoir
- Blue Mesa Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Confluence Of North, Middle And South Forks (Sec 4, T43n, R3e) To Nf Boundary (Sec 17, T44n, R4e)
- Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
- Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Blue Mesa Reservoir
- Sec 30, T41n, R2e To Sec 11, T40n, R2e
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
More reservoirs
Track Upper Dome 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 Upper Dome
Where does the data for Upper Dome 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 Upper Dome.