Fairport dam
Fairport
Fairport, also known as the Robert Benson Reservoir, is a key water resource in Larimer, Colorado, primarily used for irrigation purposes. This local government-owned Earth dam was completed in 1882 and has a height of 12 feet, with a storage capacity of 390 acre-feet. Located on the Big Thompson River, Fairport plays a crucial role in water management and serves as a vital resource for the surrounding community in Ft. Collins.
With a spillway width of 176 feet and a maximum discharge of 3945 cubic feet per second, Fairport has been deemed to have a significant hazard potential. Despite this, the dam's condition was assessed as satisfactory during its last inspection in July 2020. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate (3), indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of the structure in the face of potential climate-related challenges and extreme weather events.
Fairport's historical significance and functional importance make it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region. As a regulated and permitted structure under the oversight of the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the dam's operation and maintenance are critical for sustaining water supply and mitigating risks associated with its use. With its location on the Big Thompson River and its role in irrigation, Fairport serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between water resources, infrastructure, and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental 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 Fairport -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cache La Poudre R Ab Boxelder C | 266 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre River At Fort Collins | 287 cfs | → |
| Buckhorn Creek Near Masonville | 21 cfs | → |
| Big Thompson River At Loveland | 80 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre R A Mo Of Cn | 471 cfs | → |
| Big Thompson River At Mouth | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fairport.
Boat launches
- Boat Ramp Larimer County
- Filter Plant River Access Point (Put-In)
- Bridges River Access Point (Take-Out)
- Bridges River Access Point (Take-Out #2)
- Bridges River Access Point (Put-In)
- Pineview River Access Point (Put-In, Take-Out)
Campgrounds
- Boyd Lake State Park
- South Bay - Horsetooth Reservoir
- Inlet Bay - Horsetooth Reservoir
- Missile Site Park
- Flatiron Reservoir
- Carter Lake - North Side Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Portner Reservoir (Fossil Creek)
- Miramont Park (Ft. Collins)
- Golden Meadow Park (Ft. Collins)
- Troutman Park (Fort Collins)
- Warren Park Pond
- Westfield Park
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Fairport 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 Fairport
Where does the data for Fairport 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 Fairport.