Giffin #2 (Upper) Dam
Giffin #2 (Upper)
Giffin #2 (Upper) is a privately owned earth dam located in Weld County, Colorado, along the Lone Tree Creek. Built in 1952 for irrigation purposes, this dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a storage capacity of 155 acre-feet. With a normal storage level of 91 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 15 acres and serves a drainage area of 56 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Giffin #2 (Upper) is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 187 feet, capable of discharging up to 4590 cubic feet per second in case of overflow. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in April 2016, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3.
Located in the city of Nunn, Colorado, Giffin #2 (Upper) plays a crucial role in the local irrigation system, providing water for agricultural activities in the region. As a key infrastructure for water resource management, this dam represents a significant aspect of Colorado's water conservation and utilization efforts. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the engineering details and operational significance of Giffin #2 (Upper) in sustaining the water needs of the surrounding community.
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 Giffin #2 (Upper) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Creek At 19th Street | 3 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre River At Fort Collins | 48 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R Ab Boxelder C | 48 cfs | → |
| North Fork Cache La Poudre R. At Livermore | 0 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R A Mo Of Cn | 227 cfs | → |
| N Frk Cache La Poudre R Blw Halligan Res Nr V Dal | 48 cfs | → |
About Giffin #2 (Upper)
Where does the data for Giffin #2 (Upper) 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 below 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.
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.