Brainard Lake dam
Brainard Lake
Brainard Lake, located in Boulder, Colorado, is a picturesque water resource overseen by the USDA Forest Service. This recreational gem, completed in 1943, offers a serene escape for water and climate enthusiasts seeking solace in the great outdoors. With its primary purpose being recreation, Brainard Lake also serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, enhancing its value as a haven for nature lovers.
Standing at a height of 15 feet and boasting a maximum storage capacity of 160 acre-feet, Brainard Lake plays a vital role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. The dam, constructed with rock and soil foundations, provides essential habitat for aquatic life while ensuring controlled water flow and discharge. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway of Brainard Lake is designed to manage significant water levels and potential hazards, highlighting the importance of effective risk management measures in safeguarding this precious resource.
Amidst the lush surroundings of the South St Vrain Creek, Brainard Lake stands as a symbol of harmonious coexistence between mankind and nature. With its rich history, stunning landscape, and strategic design, this water resource is not only a source of recreation but also a testament to the importance of responsible water stewardship in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Brainard Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South St. Vrain Creek Near Ward | 37 cfs | → |
| Middle Boulder Creek At Nederland | 104 cfs | → |
| Cabin Creek Near Fraser | 15 cfs | → |
| Moffat Water Tunnel At East Portal | 204 cfs | → |
| Ranch Creek Near Fraser | 4 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Orodell | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brainard Lake.
Boat launches
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Boat Launch Grand Lake
- Cr 6 Grand County
- Grand County
- Hilltop Boating Site
- Us 34 Grand County
Fishing spots
- Brainard Lake - Ipwa
- Left Hand Reservoir - Ipwa
- Long Lake - Ipwa
- Mitchell Lakes - Ipwa
- Moraine Lake - Ipwa
- Red Rock Lake - Ipwa
Track Brainard Lake 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 Brainard Lake
Where does the data for Brainard Lake 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 Brainard Lake.