L E D E dam
L E D E
Located in Gypsum, Colorado, the L E D E dam on Gypsum Creek is a vital water resource managed by the local government for irrigation purposes. Built in 1931, this earth dam stands at a height of 57 feet and has a storage capacity of 1153 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 953 acre-feet. The dam has a spillway width of 30 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 1764 cubic feet per second.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a condition assessment deemed satisfactory as of June 2020, the L E D E dam is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam is regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols in place. In the event of emergencies, the dam operators have emergency action plans in place to mitigate risks and protect downstream communities.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the L E D E dam serves as a significant infrastructure for water management in Eagle County, Colorado. Its strategic location and design make it a crucial component of the local irrigation system, providing water for agricultural activities in the region. As climate change continues to impact water availability and usage patterns, the maintenance and operation of dams like L E D E are essential for ensuring water security and resilience 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 L E D E -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fryingpan River Near Ruedi | 117 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River At Meredith | 201 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River Near Thomasville | 156 cfs | → |
| North Fork Fryingpan River Near Norrie | 37 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Near Edwards | 116 cfs | → |
| Eagle River Below Gypsum | 526 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near L E D E.
Boat launches
- Wingo Boat Ramp
- Community Boat Ramp
- Wolcott Boat Ramp
- Eagle Valley Trail Avon
- Homestake Reservoir Boat Ramp Day Use Area
- Dotsero Landing Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Sylvan Lake State Park
- Yeoman Park
- Yeoman Park Campground
- Little Mattie
- Little Mattie Campground
- Mollie B Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Lower Eagle (Edwards Water Plant To Eagle)
- Headwaters To Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary
- Avon Whitewater Park
- Colorado River Segment 7
- Riverbend To Edwards (Upper Eagle)
More reservoirs
Track L E D E 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 L E D E
Where does the data for L E D E 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 L E D E.