Macfarlane Dam dam
Macfarlane Dam
Macfarlane Dam, located in Jackson County, Colorado, is a Federal-owned structure with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Built in 1911, this Earth-type dam stands at 37 feet high and spans a length of 1335 feet, with a storage capacity of 10,000 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Soap Creek and is managed by the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service.
Despite its low hazard potential, Macfarlane Dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition, with a risk assessment rating of High (2). The last inspection conducted in September 2018 revealed the need for improvements, and the dam is scheduled for inspection every five years. The outlet gates feature a slide (sluice gate) design, and there are no spillways present. Overall, Macfarlane Dam plays a crucial role in supporting the local ecosystem and providing water resources for fish and wildlife in the area.
As a key component of water resource management in the region, Macfarlane Dam serves as a critical infrastructure for maintaining habitat and supporting diverse wildlife populations. With its location in a scenic and ecologically rich area, the dam represents a vital link in the interconnected network of water bodies and resources. Continued monitoring and maintenance of the dam will be essential to ensure its long-term functionality and safety for both the environment and surrounding communities.
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 Macfarlane Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Creek Near Rand | 10 cfs | → |
| Michigan River At Walden | 41 cfs | → |
| Joe Wright Creek Above Joe Wright Reservoir | 3 cfs | → |
| Joe Wright Creek Below Joe Wright Reservoir | 20 cfs | → |
| Michigan River Near Cameron Pass | 4 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek Above Antelope Creek Nr. Kremmling | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Macfarlane Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Macfarlane Dam
Where does the data for Macfarlane Dam 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.