Nucla Domestic dam
Nucla Domestic
Nucla Domestic, located in Naturita, Colorado, serves as a vital public utility for water supply in the region. This Earth-type dam, completed in 1957, stands at a height of 33 feet and has a storage capacity of 162 acre-feet, ensuring a reliable source of water for the community. Situated on the San Miguel River, this dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water security in Montrose County.
Despite its age, Nucla Domestic is in fair condition with a low hazard potential, as confirmed by a recent inspection in May 2020. With a high risk assessment rating of 2, the dam is closely monitored by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, which regulates, inspects, and enforces safety measures to ensure the structural integrity of the dam. Emergency preparedness measures are in place, although further updates may be needed to meet evolving guidelines. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Nucla Domestic stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Nucla Domestic -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Miguel River At Brooks Bridge Near Nucla Co | 157 cfs | → |
| San Miguel River At Uravan | 225 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Bedrock | 2 cfs | → |
| Dolores River At Bedrock | 7 cfs | → |
| San Miguel River Near Placerville | 259 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Slick Rock | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nucla Domestic.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Ledges Cottonwood
- Ledges Rockhouse
- Horsefly Camp
- Blue Spruce Camp
- Ponderosa Camp
- Free Campground (The Ball Park)
Fishing spots
- Twin Lakes Reservoir
- Miramonte Reservoir (Dan Noble Swa)
- Buckeye Reservoir
- Groundhog Reservoir
- Woods Lake
- Chipeta Lakes Swa
Track Nucla Domestic 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 Nucla Domestic
Where does the data for Nucla Domestic 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 Nucla Domestic.