Lost Lake #1 dam
Lost Lake #1
Lost Lake #1, also known as Lower Lost Lake, is a private water resource located in Hinsdale, Colorado, specifically in the city of South Fork. Built in 1907 for irrigation purposes, this earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and stretches 182 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 1181 acre-feet, this reservoir serves multiple functions, including fish and wildlife pond, irrigation, and recreation.
Situated on Lost Lake Creek, this dam is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity. With a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Lost Lake #1 poses minimal risk to the surrounding area. The spillway, outlet gates, and overall design of the dam contribute to its efficient operation, maintaining a moderate risk assessment rating.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and multi-purpose functionality of Lost Lake #1. From its construction over a century ago to its current role in sustaining irrigation and recreational activities, this dam on Lost Lake Creek embodies the balance between human utilization of water resources and environmental conservation. With careful regulation and maintenance, Lost Lake #1 continues to serve as a vital component of Colorado's water infrastructure.
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 Lost Lake #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 267 cfs | → |
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 9 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Blw Lake San Cristobal Nr Lake City | 100 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Howardsville | 127 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Silverton | 149 cfs | → |
| Animas River Below Silverton | 331 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lost Lake #1.
Boat launches
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Cr 11 Hinsdale County
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
- Devil's Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
- Cr 243 La Plata County
Campgrounds
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
- 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
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- Sierra Vandera--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Flint Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
More reservoirs
Track Lost Lake #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 Lost Lake #1
Where does the data for Lost Lake #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 Lost Lake #1.