White Owl Dam dam
White Owl Dam
White Owl Dam, located in the scenic White Owl Creek in Dotserso, Colorado, is a federally owned structure primarily used for fish and wildlife conservation and recreation purposes. Built in 1967 by the USDA Forest Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a storage capacity of 197 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is regularly inspected by the Forest Service to ensure its safety and functionality.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 18 feet and has a structural height of 13 feet. Despite not having a designated surface area or drainage area, White Owl Dam serves as a vital resource for the surrounding ecosystem and provides a serene recreational setting for outdoor enthusiasts. Its location in Garfield County, Colorado, highlights the importance of water resource management in maintaining a balanced environment for both wildlife and human enjoyment.
As a regulated and permitted structure under the oversight of the Colorado Department of Water Resources, White Owl Dam plays a crucial role in water conservation and flood control efforts in the region. With its strategic positioning and purposeful design, this dam serves as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of water resources and climate considerations in the conservation and management of natural landscapes.
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 White Owl Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs | 3,130 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Dotsero | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Eagle River Below Gypsum | 656 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 803 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River Near Emma | 542 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Owl Dam.
Boat launches
- Lyon's Gulch Boat Ramp
- Grizzly Creek Garfield County
- Cottonwood Island Boat Ramp
- I 70 Garfield County
- South Canyon Boat Ramp
- Dotsero Landing Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Deep Lake Fishing/Picnic Area Fishing Site
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Trappers Lake
- Lake Of The Woods
- Gypsum Ponds
Track White Owl 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 White Owl Dam
Where does the data for White Owl 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 White Owl Dam.