Hunters Lake dam
Hunters Lake
Hunters Lake, located in Mineral County, Colorado, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for irrigation purposes. Built in 1926, this earth dam stands at a height of 7 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 69 acre-feet. With a surface area of 15 acres, the reservoir is fed by Lake Creek and has a drainage area of 0 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, Hunters Lake poses a high risk due to its condition assessment being "Not Rated" and the last inspection dating back to September 1985. The lack of updated emergency action plans and risk management measures raises concerns for potential hazards. The reservoir's spillway type is listed as "None," highlighting the need for further evaluation and maintenance to ensure the safety and sustainability of this water resource in the face of changing climate conditions.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Hunters Lake to be a fascinating case study in the intersection of infrastructure management, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience. As the demand for water resources continues to grow and the impacts of climate change become increasingly pronounced, the maintenance and regulation of reservoirs like Hunters Lake will be crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability and safety of water sources for both human and ecological needs.
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 Hunters Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 19 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 182 cfs | → |
| South Fork Rio Grande At South Fork | 68 cfs | → |
| East Fork San Juan River Nr Pagosa Springs | -888 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork Bel Cropsy Creek At Summitville | 4 cfs | → |
| Pinos Creek Near Del Norte | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hunters 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 Hunters Lake
Where does the data for Hunters 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 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 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.