Warner #5 dam
Warner #5
Warner #5, located in Durango, Colorado, is a privately owned Earth dam completed in 1970 for the primary purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond along Elbert Creek. This low hazard potential dam stands at a height of 26 feet with a length of 145 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 38 acre-feet and a normal storage of 23 acre-feet over a surface area of 3 acres. With a maximum discharge capacity of 825 cubic feet per second, the dam features an uncontrolled spillway that is 33 feet wide.
Maintained by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Warner #5 has a satisfactory condition assessment and is inspected every 6 years, with the last inspection conducted in October 2017. Despite being categorized as having a moderate risk level, the dam has a history of meeting regulatory guidelines and enforcement measures, ensuring the safety of the surrounding community. While no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is currently prepared for Warner #5, the overall management and maintenance of the dam contribute to its stable and secure operation within the region.
With its vital role in supporting local fish and wildlife populations, Warner #5 serves as a crucial water resource structure in La Plata County. Positioned under the jurisdiction of the state and regulated by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, this dam stands as a testament to sustainable water management practices and the preservation of natural habitats in the region. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Warner #5 presents an intriguing case study of how private ownership, state regulation, and environmental conservation efforts intersect to ensure the longevity and safety of essential water infrastructure.
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 Warner #5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Animas River Above Tacoma | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Vallecito Creek Near Bayfield | 451 cfs | → |
| Florida R Bl Flor Farmers Ditch | 12 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Durango | 1,130 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Below Rico | 332 cfs | → |
| Animas River Blw Durango Pump Plant Nr Durango | 1,120 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Warner #5.
Campgrounds
- Chris Park Group Campground
- Haviland Lake
- Haviland Lake Campground
- Lower Hermosa Campground
- Transfer Park
- Transfer Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Rincon La Vaca And North Fork To Northern Line Of Granite Peak Ranch
- Animas River
- Lake Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- South Mineral Creek
- Flint Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Rincon La Osa--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
More reservoirs
Track Warner #5 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 Warner #5
Where does the data for Warner #5 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 Warner #5.