Blue Lake #1 dam
Blue Lake #1
Blue Lake #1, located in Telluride, Colorado, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1903 for water supply purposes, specifically irrigation and water supply. With a height of 13 feet and a length of 100 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 601 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 52 acres. The dam is regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources and is subject to regular inspections, with the last assessment in August 2015 rating its condition as unsatisfactory.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Blue Lake #1 poses a high risk due to its outdated infrastructure and the lack of emergency action plans in place. The dam has no spillway and relies on uncontrolled outlets, raising concerns about its ability to handle maximum discharge levels. With a risk assessment rating of 2, there is a pressing need for updated risk management measures and the development of emergency preparedness protocols to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety of downstream communities in the event of a dam failure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Blue Lake #1 serves as a case study highlighting the importance of proactive maintenance and risk assessment for aging dam 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 Blue Lake #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork San Miguel River Near Ophir | 76 cfs | → |
| Cement Creek At Silverton | 53 cfs | → |
| Mineral Creek At Silverton | 205 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Silverton | 306 cfs | → |
| Animas River Below Silverton | 590 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Howardsville | 226 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Lake #1.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Telluride Town Park
- Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed)
- Alta Lakes Campground (Designated) - Norwood Rd
- Kendall Campground
- Million Dollar Highway Free Campsite
- South Mineral
Fishing spots
- Sheep Corrals Fishing Site
- North Fork Animas River
- Andrews Lake Swa
- Woods Lake
- Ridgway Reservoir
- Haviland Lake
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Blue 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 Blue Lake #1
Where does the data for Blue 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 Blue Lake #1.