Heart Lake dam
Heart Lake
Heart Lake, located in Dotserso, Colorado, is a stunning reservoir situated along Deep Creek. Constructed in 1953, this recreational lake boasts a picturesque setting with a surface area of 337 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 5,463 acre-feet. The dam, designed by Damon Runyan and Hank Koopman, stands at an impressive height of 43 feet and stretches 700 feet in length.
This Earth dam, with a roller-compacted concrete core, serves as a vital recreation spot for the community, offering activities like boating and fishing. Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, the dam has undergone structural modifications in 1956 and 1999 to ensure its safety. With a spillway width of 50 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 2,032 cubic feet per second, Heart Lake remains an essential water resource for both residents and visitors alike.
Managed by the Colorado State agency, Heart Lake is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to uphold its safety standards. Its strategic location in Garfield County, Colorado, makes it a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts and a critical component of the local water infrastructure. With its rich history, stunning scenery, and recreational offerings, Heart Lake stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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 Heart Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Dotsero | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs | 649 cfs | → |
| Eagle River Below Gypsum | 181 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 220 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River Near Emma | 313 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Heart Lake.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Heart Lake
Where does the data for Heart Lake 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 below 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.
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.