Henderson Lake dam
Henderson Lake
Henderson Lake, located in La Plata County, Colorado, is a captivating water resource managed by the Forest Service with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. The dam, constructed in 1967, stands at a height of 31 feet and has a hydraulic height of 25 feet, providing storage capacity of 126 acre-feet. The lake covers an area of 11 acres and is fed by Pole Creek, offering a serene environment for recreational activities and fire protection in addition to its primary purpose.
The significant hazard potential of Henderson Lake is offset by its controlled spillway and slide gate outlet gates, ensuring safety and proper water management. Despite being classified as 'Not Rated' in condition assessment, the lake's risk assessment is deemed 'Very High (1)', prompting the need for effective risk management measures. With a maximum discharge capacity of 498 cubic feet per second, Henderson Lake remains a vital water resource in the region, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts due to its unique design and ecological significance.
For those interested in exploring the intersection of water resources, climate, and conservation, Henderson Lake offers a compelling case study. From its construction by the Forest Service to its role in supporting fish and wildlife, the lake provides a rich tapestry of ecological and engineering elements to unravel. With its location in the picturesque city of Hermosa and proximity to Pole Creek, Henderson Lake stands as a beacon of sustainable water management practices in Colorado, ripe for further research and appreciation by enthusiasts in the field.
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.
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Henderson Lake.
⛺ Campgrounds
- Transfer Park
- Transfer Park Campground
- Chris Park Group Campground
- Haviland Lake Campground
- Haviland Lake
- Florida Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- Confluence With Rincon La Vaca And North Fork To Northern Line Of Granite Peak Ranch
- Lake Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Animas River
- Flint Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- South Mineral Creek
- Sierra Vandera--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
Track Henderson Lake 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 Henderson Lake
Where does the data for Henderson Lake 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 Henderson Lake.