Hermit #3 dam
Hermit #3
Hermit #3 is a privately-owned earth dam located in Hinsdale County, Colorado, specifically in the city of South Fork. It was completed in 1965 and serves primarily for recreational purposes, including fish and wildlife ponds. The dam stands at a height of 10 feet and has a length of 630 feet, with a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet and a surface area of 12 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Hermit #3 poses a high risk due to its location and the potential impact of a breach on downstream areas. The dam is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and undergoes regular inspections, with the last one conducted in June 2008. With a maximum discharge capacity of 4250 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Hermit #3 offers a fascinating case study in the intersection of infrastructure, recreation, and environmental management. Its presence on South Clear Creek contributes to the local ecosystem while also serving as a potential risk factor. Understanding the complexities of dam management and the delicate balance between conservation and public safety is essential for ensuring the sustainable use of water resources in the region.
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 Hermit #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 949 cfs | → |
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 17 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Blw Lake San Cristobal Nr Lake City | 147 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Howardsville | 262 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 131 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hermit #3.
Boat launches
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Cr 11 Hinsdale County
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
- Devil's Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Road Canyon Campground
- Road Canyon
- Crooked Creek Dispersed Area
- River Hill Campground
- River Hill
- Thirty Mile Campground
Fishing spots
- Brown Lakes Swa
- Road Canyon Reservoir
- Road Canyon Reservoir Number 1
- Road Canyon Dam Fishing Site
- Continental Reservoir
- Continental Reservoir Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- Rincon La Vaca--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Osa--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Sierra Vandera--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Flint Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
More reservoirs
Track Hermit #3 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 Hermit #3
Where does the data for Hermit #3 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 Hermit #3.