Crescent Lake #2 dam
Crescent Lake #2
Located in Garfield County, Colorado, Crescent Lake #2, also known as Mackinaw Lake, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1940 primarily for irrigation purposes. With a height of 9 feet and a length of 305 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 213 acre-feet and serves as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area. The dam is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, ensuring proper inspection, permitting, and enforcement to maintain its integrity.
Not only does Crescent Lake #2 provide irrigation water, but it also offers recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy its 12-acre surface area. Despite having a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been rated for its condition as of the last inspection in July 1986. While emergency action plans and risk management measures are not currently in place, the dam's location on the South Fork Derby Creek adds to its importance in the local water resource management system.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Crescent Lake #2 stands as a vital infrastructure for both agricultural and recreational purposes in the region. With its historical significance dating back to the mid-20th century, efforts to ensure the dam's safety and sustainability will be essential in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Crescent Lake #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Near Dotsero | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Eagle River Below Gypsum | 656 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs | 3,130 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs | 1,310 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 803 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crescent Lake #2.
Boat launches
- Pinball Access Boat Ramp
- Cottonwood Island Boat Ramp
- Lyon's Gulch Boat Ramp
- Catamount Bridge Boat Ramp
- Dotsero Landing Boat Ramp
- Community Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Trappers Lake
- Trappers Lake / Cutthroat Campground
- Trappers Lake / Trapline Campground
- Trappers Lake / Bucks Campground
- Trappers Lake / Horse Thief Campground
- Sweetwater Lake Campground
Fishing spots
- Trappers Lake
- Lake Of The Woods
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
- Yamcolo Reservoir
- Deep Lake Fishing/Picnic Area Fishing Site
- Crosho Lake
Track Crescent Lake #2 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 Crescent Lake #2
Where does the data for Crescent Lake #2 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 Crescent Lake #2.