Steele Brothers #2 dam
Steele Brothers #2
Steele Brothers #2, also known as Steele's Lake #2, is a local government-owned irrigation dam located in Boulder, Colorado. Built in 1900, this earth dam stands at 13 feet high and stretches 490 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. Situated along Dry Creek, this dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation for the surrounding area, with a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment.
Managed by the Nebraska-based Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Steele Brothers #2 is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam poses a moderate risk level, prompting the need for ongoing risk management measures. With a controlled spillway and uncontrolled spillway type, this dam is equipped to handle maximum discharges of up to 30 cubic feet per second, providing a vital water resource for agricultural activities in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure and environmental sustainability can appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of Steele Brothers #2. As a key element in the irrigation network of Boulder County, this dam represents a balance between water management for agricultural needs and the preservation of natural ecosystems along Dry Creek. Ongoing monitoring and risk assessment efforts aim to ensure the continued safety and efficiency of this essential water resource structure 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 Steele Brothers #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont | 2 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 30 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek At Lyons | 69 cfs | → |
| Boulder Cr At North 75th St Nr Boulder | 37 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Orodell | 2 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Mouth | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Steele Brothers #2.
Boat launches
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Standley Lake Trail Westminster
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
- Brighton
Campgrounds
- Boulder County Fairground
- Meadow Park
- Union Reservoir
- St. Vrain State Park
- Carter Lake - South Side Campgrounds
- 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 Steele Brothers #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 Steele Brothers #2
Where does the data for Steele Brothers #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 Steele Brothers #2.