N. Mills Clarifying Dam dam
N. Mills Clarifying Dam
N. Mills Clarifying Dam, also known as North Mill Pond, is a privately owned structure located in the city of Salt Creek, Colorado. Built in 1975 by CF&I Steel Mill, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and spans 575 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 36 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources and is inspected regularly to ensure its satisfactory condition and low hazard potential.
Serving primarily for purposes other than flood control or water supply, N. Mills Clarifying Dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of Salt Creek-TR and can discharge up to 506 cubic feet per second. Despite its high risk assessment level of 2, the dam has appropriate risk management measures in place to mitigate any potential emergencies. With its stone core construction and absence of a spillway, the dam continues to operate effectively within the guidelines set by the state regulatory agency.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts would find N. Mills Clarifying Dam an intriguing structure to study, given its unique design and location in Pueblo County, Colorado. As a key component in the local water management infrastructure, this dam showcases the intersection of engineering, environmental conservation, and regulatory oversight. The ongoing monitoring and maintenance of N. Mills Clarifying Dam highlight the importance of sustainable water resource management 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 N. Mills Clarifying Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River Tributary Above Hwy 227 At Pueblo | 39 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Moffat Street At Pueblo | 372 cfs | → |
| Fountain Creek At Pueblo | 124 cfs | → |
| St. Charles River At Vineland | 5 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Above Pueblo | 375 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Near Avondale | 281 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near N. Mills Clarifying Dam.
Campgrounds
- Arkansas Point - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Juniper Breaks - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Prairie Ridge Campground
- Eagle View Campground
- Northern Plains - Lake Pueblo State Park
- Yucca Flat Campground
Fishing spots
- Lake Minnequa
- Valco Ponds (North Gateway Park)
- Pueblo Reservoir
- Teller Reservoir
- Lake Beckwith
- Brush Hollow Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track N. Mills Clarifying Dam 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 N. Mills Clarifying Dam
Where does the data for N. Mills Clarifying Dam 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 N. Mills Clarifying Dam.