James Marion Yoast dam
James Marion Yoast
James Marion Yoast is a private earth dam located in Craig, Colorado, along Yoast Creek. Built in 1909 for irrigation purposes, this dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a length of 545 feet, with a storage capacity of 360 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam is considered to have low hazard potential and is in fair condition as of the last inspection in October 2015.
Managed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, James Marion Yoast plays a crucial role in providing water for irrigation, fire protection, stock, small fish ponds, and general water supply in the region. The dam is regulated and inspected by the state to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. With a spillway width of 24 feet and a maximum discharge of 42 cubic feet per second, the dam is equipped to handle controlled releases during periods of excess water.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in the area can appreciate the historical significance and functionality of James Marion Yoast as a vital piece of infrastructure supporting agricultural and environmental needs in Routt County, Colorado. Its location along Yoast Creek and its impact on the surrounding area make it an interesting site for those interested in water management and sustainability efforts in the region.
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 James Marion Yoast -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 7 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Elkhead Creek Near Hayden | 2,340 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Milner | 1,950 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Near Craig | 66 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Above Long Gulch | 94 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near James Marion Yoast.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Trout Creek
- Trout Creek Recreation Area
- Chapman Reservoir
- Chapman Reservoir Campground
- Sheriff Reservoir Campground
- Sheriffs Reservoir
Fishing spots
- Crosho Lake
- Stagecoach Reservoir
- Yamcolo Reservoir
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
- Lake Of The Woods
- Elkhead Reservoir
Track James Marion Yoast 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 James Marion Yoast
Where does the data for James Marion Yoast 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 James Marion Yoast.