Craig Holding & Evaporation Ponds dam
Craig Holding & Evaporation Ponds
Craig Holding & Evaporation Ponds in Colorado is a vital water resource infrastructure managed by a public utility, serving the primary purpose of water supply. Completed in 1978, this Earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a storage capacity of 2330 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 1935 acre-feet. Located in Moffat County along the Yampa River, the dam covers a surface area of 79 acres and plays a crucial role in water management within the region.
With its significant hazard potential and high risk assessment rating, Craig Holding & Evaporation Ponds are subject to regular inspections and maintenance to ensure their structural integrity and operational efficiency. The dam's condition has been deemed satisfactory as of the last assessment in September 2020. Despite the absence of a spillway, this water infrastructure plays a crucial role in regulating water flow along the Yampa River and meeting the region's water supply needs. As a pivotal component of the state's water management system, the dam underscores the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of climate variability and increasing water demands.
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 Craig Holding & Evaporation Ponds -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Below Craig | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Near Craig | 43 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Elkhead Creek Near Hayden | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Above Long Gulch | 68 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Near Maybell | 1,500 cfs | → |
| White River Near Meeker | 251 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Craig Holding & Evaporation Ponds.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- South Beach - Yampa River State Park
- Duffy Mountain Upper Vista Camping
- Duffy Mountain Camping
- Duffy Mountain Axial Trailhead Camping
- West Duffy Mountain Camping
- Headquarters - Yampa River State Park
Fishing spots
Track Craig Holding & Evaporation Ponds 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 Craig Holding & Evaporation Ponds
Where does the data for Craig Holding & Evaporation Ponds 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 Craig Holding & Evaporation Ponds.