John Martin Dam - Fort Lyon Protective Works dam
John Martin Dam - Fort Lyon Protective Works
John Martin Dam - Fort Lyon Protective Works, also known as John Martin Reservoir, is a gravity dam located in Lamar, Colorado, along the Arkansas River. Built in 1943 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure in the area. Standing at a height of 118 feet with a length of 1024 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 608,245 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 11,590 acres.
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, John Martin Dam plays a significant role in mitigating flood risks in the region by monitoring its condition, prioritizing maintenance activities, and collaborating with local emergency managers to ensure preparedness for any dam-related emergencies. The dam has a high hazard potential, and risk management measures are continuously implemented to enhance public safety and awareness. With a focus on maintaining the structural integrity of the dam and managing water levels effectively, the USACE remains vigilant in addressing all types of flood risks associated with the structure.
As a vital component of the local water resource infrastructure, John Martin Dam - Fort Lyon Protective Works underscores the importance of proactive risk management and emergency preparedness in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from potential flooding events. Through ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and collaboration with stakeholders, the dam continues to fulfill its primary purpose of flood risk reduction while ensuring the safety and resilience of the surrounding area 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 John Martin Dam - Fort Lyon Protective Works -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Purgatoire River Near Las Animas | 2 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Las Animas | 14 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Below John Martin Reservoir | 96 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At La Junta | 44 cfs | → |
| Crooked Arroyo Near Swink | 3 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Lamar | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John Martin Dam - Fort Lyon Protective Works.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- John Martin Reservoir
- Dawn Pond
- Hasty Lake
- Adobe Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake)
- Adobe Creek Reservoir
- Horse Creek Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track John Martin Dam - Fort Lyon Protective Works 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 John Martin Dam - Fort Lyon Protective Works
Where does the data for John Martin Dam - Fort Lyon Protective Works 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 High 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 John Martin Dam - Fort Lyon Protective Works.