Hunter dam
Hunter
Located in Jackson County, Colorado, the Hunter dam serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond maintenance. Built in 1936, this private-owned structure stands at a height of 7 feet and has a storage capacity of 137 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 40 acre-feet. Situated along the Threemile Creek-OS river or stream, it plays a crucial role in irrigation activities in the region, highlighting its importance in water resource management.
Despite its low hazard potential, the Hunter dam remains regulated and inspected by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. The dam's primary purpose for fire protection and stock maintenance underscores its significance in ensuring water availability for agricultural and environmental needs in the area. With a risk assessment rating of "High (2)", there is a clear recognition of the importance of managing and maintaining this structure to mitigate potential risks and ensure its longevity in safeguarding water resources in the region.
The Hunter dam, with its earth-type construction and 800-foot length, is a key component of the water infrastructure in Jackson County. While currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment, ongoing inspections and regulatory oversight ensure its continued functionality. As climate change impacts water availability, this dam's role in providing essential water resources for various purposes underscores the need for proactive management and maintenance to address potential risks and ensure sustainable water management practices in the face of changing environmental 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 Hunter -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Platte River Near Northgate | 366 cfs | → |
| Michigan River At Walden | 39 cfs | → |
| Encampment River Ab Hog Park Cr | 298 cfs | → |
| Laramie R Bl Pioneer Canal Nr Woods Landing | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Pioneer Canal Near Woods | 174 cfs | → |
| South Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hunter.
Boat launches
- Cowdrey Lake Rec Site Boat Dock
- Cowdrey Lake Rec Site Boat Ramp
- Bennett Creek Campground Boat Ramp
- Blm 3404 Carbon County
- Teal Lake Boating Site
- Lake Hattie Reservoir Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Cowdrey Lake
- Big Creek Lakes Day Use Area
- Big Creek Lake(Lower)
- Big Creek Lake(Upper)
- North Platte River
- Lake John
Paddle runs
- South Sec Line, Sec 2, T11n, R80w To Co/Wy Stateline
- Northgate Canyon
- Big Creek
- Co/Wy Stateline To Douglas Creek
More reservoirs
Track Hunter 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 Hunter
Where does the data for Hunter 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 Hunter.