Upper Stillwater dam
Upper Stillwater
Upper Stillwater, located in Garfield County, Colorado, is a state-owned recreational reservoir that serves as a haven for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Built in 1965, this earth dam stands at 40 feet high and spans 275 feet in length, offering a storage capacity of 1,096 acre-feet of water. With a primary purpose of recreation, the reservoir also caters to fish and wildlife, making it a vital hub for conservation efforts in the region.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Upper Stillwater is a regulated and inspected structure, ensuring its safety and compliance with state standards. The dam boasts a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, providing a safe environment for visitors and nearby communities. Despite its high risk assessment due to its location and operational factors, the reservoir remains a valuable resource for both leisure and environmental preservation.
With its scenic location along the Bear River and ample surface area of 53 acres, Upper Stillwater offers a serene backdrop for outdoor activities and serves as a vital component in the local ecosystem. As climate change continues to impact water resources, this reservoir stands as a testament to sustainable management practices and the importance of preserving natural habitats 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 Upper Stillwater -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 8 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Dotsero | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Eagle River Below Gypsum | 526 cfs | → |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 347 cfs | → |
| Piney River Near State Bridge | 115 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Stillwater.
Boat launches
- Pinball Access Boat Ramp
- Catamount Bridge Boat Ramp
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
- Two Bridges Boat Ramp
- Cottonwood Island Boat Ramp
- Lyon's Gulch Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Bear Lake Campground
- Horseshoe Campground
- Bear River Developed Camp Sites
- Sheriffs Reservoir
- Sheriff Reservoir Campground
- Crosho Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
- Yamcolo Reservoir
- Crosho Lake
- Trappers Lake
- Lake Of The Woods
- Stagecoach Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Burns To Dotsero
- South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
- Headwaters At Deep Lake Outlet To 1/4 Mile Downstream
- State Bridge To Two Bridges
- 1/4 Mile Below Headwaters To Deep Creek Diversion Ditch
- Deep Creek Segment 2b
More reservoirs
Track Upper Stillwater 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 Upper Stillwater
Where does the data for Upper Stillwater 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 Upper Stillwater.