Freeman dam
Freeman
Freeman is a state-regulated dam located in Moffat, Colorado, with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1965, this earth dam stands at 26 feet high and spans 485 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre-feet. The dam also features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 12 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 352 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment as of September 2019 was deemed fair.
Situated on the Little Cottonwood Creek, Freeman Dam offers a surface area of 17 acres for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. With a normal storage level of 115 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1 square mile, the dam serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding community. Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Freeman Dam undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in September 2019. Although the dam has a moderate risk assessment score of 3, appropriate risk management measures are in place to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Freeman Dam presents an intriguing case study of a state-owned recreational facility that plays a crucial role in water management in Colorado. With its modest dimensions and moderate risk level, the dam exemplifies the careful balance between providing recreational opportunities and ensuring public safety. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the maintenance and regulation of structures like Freeman Dam is essential for sustainable water management practices.
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 Freeman -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhead Creek Above Long Gulch | 68 cfs | → |
| Slater Fork Near Slater | 54 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Near Craig | 43 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Elkhead Creek Near Hayden | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Little Snake River Near Dixon | 376 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Craig | 1,390 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Freeman.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Freeman Reservoir Campground
- Freeman Reservoir
- Sawmill Creek Campground
- Serviceberry Camping
- South Beach - Yampa River State Park
- Headquarters - Yampa River State Park
Fishing spots
- Freeman Reservoir
- Elkhead Reservoir
- Craig Justice Center Ponds
- Craig City Ponds
- Steamboat Lake
- Pearl Lake
More reservoirs
Track Freeman 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 Freeman
Where does the data for Freeman 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 Freeman.