Davis dam
Davis
Davis is a privately-owned dam located in Boulder, Colorado, near the city of Longmont. Built in 1886, this Earth-type structure stands at a height of 9 feet and stretches 1200 feet in length, serving primarily for irrigation purposes along the Lykin Gulch-TR river or stream. With a storage capacity of 111 acre-feet and a surface area of 13 acres, Davis plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential, Davis has been deemed to have an unsatisfactory condition following its last inspection in 2013. The dam poses a moderate risk, indicating the need for careful monitoring and potential risk management measures. While it is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections, the structure's condition assessment calls for attention to ensure its continued functionality and safety for the surrounding community and environment.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the history and current status of dams in Colorado will find Davis to be a fascinating case study. From its construction over a century ago to its ongoing maintenance challenges, this privately-owned dam provides valuable insights into the intersection of water infrastructure, regulatory oversight, and environmental risk management in the region.
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 Davis -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Vrain Creek At Lyons | 112 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 51 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont | 1 cfs | → |
| Boulder Cr At North 75th St Nr Boulder | 74 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Mouth | 9 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek Below Longmont | -999,999 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Davis.
Boat launches
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Boat Ramp Larimer County
Campgrounds
- Meadow Park
- Boulder County Fairground
- Union Reservoir
- Carter Lake - South Side Campgrounds
- St. Vrain State Park
- Glacier View Ranch
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- October Hole
- Black Bear Hole & A-Hole
- Ssv - Confluence To Picnic Grounds
- Lower Boulder Canyon
- Nsv
- Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115 To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
More reservoirs
Track Davis 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 Davis
Where does the data for Davis 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 Davis.