Soward #4 dam
Soward #4
Soward #4 is a private dam located in Mineral County, Colorado, with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1909, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 17 feet and has a length of 160 feet. It has a maximum storage capacity of 77 acre-feet and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation. The dam is situated on Middle Creek-OS and is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential, Soward #4 poses a high risk due to its proximity to residential areas downstream. The dam has not been rated for its condition, and the last inspection was conducted in 1990. The lack of a Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and updated emergency contacts raises concerns about the readiness for potential incidents. With a maximum discharge capacity of 168 cubic feet per second, there is a need for improved risk management measures and regular inspections to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the ecological integrity of the area.
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 Soward #4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 128 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 836 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 510 cfs | → |
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 17 cfs | → |
| South Fork Rio Grande At South Fork | 542 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Blw Lake San Cristobal Nr Lake City | 144 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Soward #4.
Boat launches
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
- Cr 11 Hinsdale County
- Alberta Lake Fishing Site
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Love Lake Picnic Site
- Road Canyon Reservoir Number 1
- Road Canyon Reservoir
- Road Canyon Dam Fishing Site
- Brown Lakes Swa
- Rito Hondo Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
- East Fork--Unnamed Ponds Approx 1/4 Mile Below Continental Divide To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
- Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Headwaters (Sec 21, T38n, R1e) To 1/4 Mile Above Big Meadows Reservoir
More reservoirs
Track Soward #4 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 Soward #4
Where does the data for Soward #4 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 Soward #4.