Bristol Head #1 dam
Bristol Head #1
Bristol Head #1, also known as Lower Bristol Head or Lower Seepage, is a privately owned earth dam located in South Fork, Colorado. Built in 1921 for irrigation purposes, this dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a storage capacity of 200 acre-feet. Situated on Seepage Creek with a drainage area of 4 square miles, the dam has a spillway width of 10 feet and a maximum discharge of 210 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Bristol Head #1 has been assessed as unsatisfactory in condition, with the last inspection conducted in November 2018. The dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating a level 3 risk. With a history of state regulation and inspection, this structure plays a crucial role in supporting local irrigation activities. Its location in Mineral County highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring water resources in the region to ensure the safety and sustainability of the surrounding ecosystem.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intricate details of dam infrastructure and management will find Bristol Head #1 a fascinating case study. With its historical significance, engineering specifications, and risk assessment data, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental stewardship in water resource management. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, understanding and maintaining structures like Bristol Head #1 will be crucial for ensuring the resilience of our water systems 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 Bristol Head #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 131 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 719 cfs | → |
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 17 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Blw Lake San Cristobal Nr Lake City | 135 cfs | → |
| South Fork Rio Grande At South Fork | 562 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bristol Head #1.
Boat launches
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
- Cr 11 Hinsdale County
- Alberta Lake Fishing Site
- Devil's Creek Bridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Love Lake Picnic Site
- Road Canyon Reservoir
- Road Canyon Reservoir Number 1
- Road Canyon Dam Fishing Site
- Brown Lakes Swa
- Rito Hondo Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- East Fork--Unnamed Ponds Approx 1/4 Mile Below Continental Divide To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
- Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
- Rincon La Vaca--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
More reservoirs
Track Bristol Head #1 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 Bristol Head #1
Where does the data for Bristol Head #1 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 Bristol Head #1.