Rio Grande dam
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande dam, also known as Farmers Union, is a vital structure located in Hinsdale, Colorado, serving the primary purpose of irrigation. Completed in 1914, this earth dam stands at a height of 111 feet and has a length of 980 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 73,800 acre-feet. The reservoir's normal storage capacity is 54,082 acre-feet, providing water for fish and wildlife ponds, irrigation, and recreational activities in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the Rio Grande dam has a high hazard potential and has been assessed to be in fair condition as of July 2020. With a maximum discharge capacity of 15,140 cubic feet per second, the dam's uncontrolled spillway with a width of 32 feet helps manage floodwaters effectively. Despite its moderate risk rating, the dam continues to play a crucial role in water resource management and conservation efforts along the Rio Grande River.
Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate in the area should take note of the Rio Grande dam's significance in providing water for irrigation, wildlife, and recreation in the region. Its history, structural details, and regulatory oversight offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing water infrastructure management in Colorado. With a focus on sustainability and risk mitigation, the Rio Grande dam exemplifies the careful balance between harnessing water resources for human use while protecting the environment and local communities from potential hazards.
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 Rio Grande -- 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 Rio Grande.
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
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Vaca--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- Rincon La Osa--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Sierra Vandera--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Flint Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
More reservoirs
Track Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande
Where does the data for Rio Grande 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 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 Rio Grande.