Echo Canyon dam
Echo Canyon
Echo Canyon is a state-regulated dam located in Archuleta County, Colorado, specifically in the city of Trujillo. Completed in 1969, this earth-type structure stands at a height of 82 feet and spans 300 feet in length, serving primarily for recreational purposes such as fish and wildlife pond management. With a storage capacity of 3,063 acre-feet and a surface area of 118 acres, Echo Canyon presents a significant hazard potential and is assessed to be in fair condition as of November 2020.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources (DWR), Echo Canyon dam is equipped with a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate and an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 76 feet. The dam's maximum discharge capacity is 5,352 cubic feet per second, making it crucial for flood control and water resource management in the region. Despite its moderate risk assessment level, the dam undergoes inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and adherence to safety guidelines.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Echo Canyon offers a fascinating case study in dam engineering and management, showcasing the intersection of recreational use and critical infrastructure for environmental conservation. Its location in the picturesque Echo Canyon, along with its role in supporting fish and wildlife habitats, highlights the complex balance between human recreation and ecological preservation in water resource projects. As one of the key structures in the area, Echo Canyon dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions and growing demands on water resources.
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 Echo Canyon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan River At Pagosa Springs | 464 cfs | → |
| Rio Blanco Bl Blanco Div Dam | 47 cfs | → |
| East Fork San Juan River Nr Pagosa Springs | -888 cfs | → |
| Navajo River Bl Oso Diversion Dam Nr Chromo | 92 cfs | → |
| Navajo R At Banded Peak Ranch | 160 cfs | → |
| San Juan River Near Carracas | 518 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Echo Canyon.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Echo Canyon Reservoir
- Alberta Park Reservoir
- Tucker Ponds Fishing Site
- Williams Creek Reservoir
- Teal Boat Ramp
- Pass Creek Lake Fishing Site
Paddle runs
- Ef/Middle Fork At Weminuche Wilderness Boundary To Forest Development Road 631
- Indian Creek To Co Hwy 160
- Fdr 631 To Indian Creek
- Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Colorado Stateline
- North Fork--Sec 8, T35n, R2e To Confluence With Middle Fork
- Middle Fork--Sec 13, T35n, R2e To Confluence Of Three Forks--Sec 14, T35n, R3e
More reservoirs
Track Echo Canyon 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 Echo Canyon
Where does the data for Echo Canyon 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 Significant 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 Echo Canyon.