Cortez #1 dam
Cortez #1
Cortez #1 is a vital earth dam located in Colorado, specifically in Montezuma County near the city of Cortez. Completed in 1938, this dam serves the primary purpose of providing water supply, with a capacity to store up to 145 acre-feet of water. With a height of 38 feet and a structural height of 44 feet, Cortez #1 plays a significant role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Cortez #1 has been designated as a state-regulated structure. The dam's condition was last assessed as fair in October 2020, with a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite the need for regular inspections and maintenance, Cortez #1 continues to play a crucial role in water management and supply in the area, ensuring the safety and reliability of its operations.
With an uncontrolled spillway and valve outlets, Cortez #1 is equipped to handle a maximum discharge of 253 cubic feet per second. The dam's location on the McElmo Creek-TR river system adds to its importance in water resource management. As an essential part of the region's infrastructure, Cortez #1 stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to safeguard and optimize water resources in Colorado.
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 Cortez #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lost Canyon Creek Near Dolores | 0 cfs | → |
| Dolores River At Dolores | 554 cfs | → |
| Mud Creek At State Highway 32 | 0 cfs | → |
| Mcelmo Creek Above Trail Canyon Near Cortez | 20 cfs | → |
| Mcelmo Creek Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 1 cfs | → |
| Mancos River Near Towaoc | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cortez #1.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Mcphee
- Mcphee Campground
- House Creek
- House Creek Campground
- Ancient Cedar
- Morefield - Mesa Verde National Park
Fishing spots
Track Cortez #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 Cortez #1
Where does the data for Cortez #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 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 Cortez #1.