Box Springs #2 dam
Box Springs #2
Box Springs #2 is a privately owned dam situated in Crowley County, Colorado, specifically in the city of Las Animas. Completed in 1899, this earth dam stands at 15 feet high and stretches 4900 feet in length. It serves multiple purposes such as fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and irrigation, with a storage capacity of 2312 acre-feet. The dam is located on Horse Creek-OS, within the jurisdiction of the Colorado state regulatory agency DWR.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential and in fair condition as of the last assessment in 2012, Box Springs #2 poses a high risk due to its age and design characteristics. With a maximum discharge capacity of 4100 cubic feet per second and a surface area of 250 acres, the dam lacks a spillway and outlet gates. It is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement, indicating ongoing regulatory oversight to ensure public safety and dam integrity.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Box Springs #2 presents an intriguing case study of a historic dam with significant storage capacity and multiple functional uses. As a vital water management infrastructure in the region, the dam's risk assessment and management measures reflect the complexities of balancing water supply needs with potential safety concerns. The dam's location and design characteristics highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and maintenance to mitigate risks and ensure long-term resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Box Springs #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River At Catlin Dam | 70 cfs | → |
| Catlin Canal At Mile 0.1 | 265 cfs | → |
| Apishapa River Near Fowler | 3 cfs | → |
| Timpas Creek At Mouth Near Swink | 45 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Near Nepesta | 206 cfs | → |
| Crooked Arroyo Near Swink | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Box Springs #2.
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Box Springs #2 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 Box Springs #2
Where does the data for Box Springs #2 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 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 Box Springs #2.