Lake Hope dam
Lake Hope
Lake Hope, nestled in San Miguel County, Colorado, is a hydroelectric wonder that has been providing fire protection, stock, and small fish pond services since its completion in 1910. With a rockfill dam standing at 18 feet high and a hydraulic height of 130 feet, this reservoir boasts a storage capacity of 2,300 acre-feet and a surface area of 44 acres. Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Lake Hope serves as a vital water resource in the region for both human and ecological needs.
Despite its age, Lake Hope maintains a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, indicating a stable and secure infrastructure. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and proximity to the Lake Fork River ensure efficient water management and environmental sustainability. While the condition assessment is currently unavailable, regular inspections by FERC and state regulatory agencies uphold the dam's integrity and safety standards. Lake Hope stands as a testament to responsible water resource management in the face of climate challenges.
As a critical piece of Colorado's water infrastructure, Lake Hope stands as a symbol of innovation and sustainability in the face of changing climate patterns. Its role in hydroelectric power generation, coupled with its multi-purpose functionality, underscores the importance of adaptive water resource management strategies. With state jurisdiction and regulatory oversight in place, Lake Hope continues to be a beacon of hope for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike, showcasing the intersection of natural beauty and human ingenuity in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
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 Lake Hope -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork San Miguel River Near Ophir | 76 cfs | → |
| Mineral Creek At Silverton | 205 cfs | → |
| Animas River Below Silverton | 590 cfs | → |
| Cement Creek At Silverton | 53 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Silverton | 306 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Howardsville | 226 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Hope .
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Priest Lake Designated Camping Area - Norwood Rd
- South Mineral Campground
- South Mineral
- Matterhorn Cabin
- Matterhorn Campground - Norwood Rd
- Matterhorn
Fishing spots
- Sheep Corrals Fishing Site
- Andrews Lake Swa
- Woods Lake
- Haviland Lake
- North Fork Animas River
- Elbert Creek
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Lake Hope 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 Lake Hope
Where does the data for Lake Hope 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 Lake Hope .