Summit - Main Dam dam
Summit - Main Dam
Summit - Main Dam, located in Dolores, Colorado, is a privately owned structure primarily used for irrigation purposes along the Lost Canyon Creek. Built in 1905, this earth dam stands at a height of 42 feet and stretches over 7,270 feet in length. With a maximum storage capacity of 7,050 acre-feet and a normal storage of 5,954 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Despite being classified as a high hazard potential structure, Summit - Main Dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of October 2020. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 40 feet and a slide gate for outlet control. It is subject to regular inspections, with a frequency of one inspection per year to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The risk assessment for this dam is moderate, indicating the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures.
In addition to its irrigation function, Summit - Main Dam also serves as a fish and wildlife pond for recreational purposes. Situated in Montezuma County, this dam stands as a testament to early 20th-century water resource development in Colorado. As climate change impacts water availability and quality in the region, structures like Summit - Main Dam will continue to play a vital role in sustaining agriculture, wildlife, and recreational activities in the area.
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 Summit - Main Dam -- 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 | 626 cfs | → |
| Mud Creek At State Highway 32 | 0 cfs | → |
| Mcelmo Creek Above Trail Canyon Near Cortez | 20 cfs | → |
| La Plata River At Hesperus | 79 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Below Rico | 332 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Summit - Main Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Ancient Cedar
- Main - Mancos State Park
- West - Mancos State Park
- Morefield - Mesa Verde National Park
- Morefield Campground
- Transfer
Fishing spots
Track Summit - Main Dam 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 Summit - Main Dam
Where does the data for Summit - Main 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 High 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 Summit - Main Dam.