Pastorius - Main Dam dam
Pastorius - Main Dam
Located in La Plata, Colorado, Pastorius - Main Dam is a private earth dam completed in 1903 primarily used for irrigation purposes along the West Fork Cottonwood Gulch-OS river. With a height of 26 feet and a length of 1090 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 565 acre-feet and a surface area of 45 acres. Its spillway type is controlled with a width of 53 feet, and it is equipped with one slide (sluice gate) and two valve outlet gates.
Despite being in fair condition as of the last inspection in August 2020, Pastorius - Main Dam holds a significant hazard potential and is classified as having a very high risk level. The dam is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement measures. While it serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife pond creation and recreation, its primary function remains irrigation for the surrounding area. With its historical significance dating back over a century, Pastorius - Main Dam stands as a vital water resource structure in the region for both agricultural and environmental needs.
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 Pastorius - Main Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Animas River Blw Durango Pump Plant Nr Durango | 901 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Oxford | -888 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Durango | 944 cfs | → |
| Florida R Bl Flor Farmers Ditch | 13 cfs | → |
| Florida River At Bondad | -888 cfs | → |
| Animas River Near Cedar Hill | 868 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pastorius - Main Dam.
Campgrounds
- Junction Creek
- Junction Creek Campground
- Cox Canyon Arch Primitive Campsite
- Miller Creek
- Miller Creek Campground
- Lower Hermosa Campground
Fishing spots
Track Pastorius - Main Dam 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 Pastorius - Main Dam
Where does the data for Pastorius - Main Dam 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 Significant 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 Pastorius - Main Dam.