Terminal dam
Terminal
Terminal is a hydroelectric facility located in La Plata, Colorado, with a primary purpose of generating electricity. Built in 1982, the rockfill dam stands at a height of 62 feet and has a storage capacity of 22,500 acre-feet. The dam, designed by W.W. Wheeler, is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Situated on Elbert Creek in Rockwood, Terminal serves as a key player in water resource management and provides recreational opportunities in the area. With a spillway width of 130 feet and a maximum discharge of 3,400 cubic feet per second, the dam has a high hazard potential and is classified as having a moderate risk level. The facility's emergency action plan is regularly reviewed and updated to meet guidelines, ensuring preparedness in case of any unforeseen events.
Despite its age, Terminal remains a vital component of Colorado's water infrastructure, serving both hydroelectric needs and recreational activities. With its strategic location and efficient operations, the facility plays a crucial role in water management in the region, contributing to both energy production and environmental sustainability.
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 Terminal -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Animas River Above Tacoma | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Vallecito Creek Near Bayfield | 385 cfs | → |
| Florida R Bl Flor Farmers Ditch | 12 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Below Rico | 298 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Durango | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Animas River Below Silverton | 590 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Terminal .
Campgrounds
- Chris Park Group Campground
- Haviland Lake Campground
- Haviland Lake
- Lower Hermosa Campground
- Transfer Park
- Transfer Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Animas River
- Confluence With Rincon La Vaca And North Fork To Northern Line Of Granite Peak Ranch
- South Mineral Creek
- Lake Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Flint Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Osa--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
More reservoirs
Track Terminal 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 Terminal
Where does the data for Terminal 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 High 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 Terminal .