Ruedi dam
Ruedi
Located in Basalt, Colorado, the Ruedi dam on the Fryingpan River is a key water resource managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Completed in 1968, this earth-filled dam stands at an impressive height of 322 feet and has a storage capacity of 119,007 acre-feet. Serving multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, recreation, and water supply, Ruedi plays a crucial role in water management in the region.
The dam's regulated operations are overseen by the Bureau of Reclamation, ensuring compliance with state regulations and permitting requirements. With a high hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's emergency action plan is periodically reviewed and updated to meet guidelines. Equipped with a spillway type classified as uncontrolled, the dam features six outlet valves to manage water discharge and maintain operational safety.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ruedi represents a fascinating intersection of engineering, environmental stewardship, and water management practices. As climate change impacts water availability and quality, the sustainable management and operation of dams like Ruedi are crucial for ensuring water security and resilience in the face of changing 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 Ruedi -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fryingpan River Near Ruedi | 117 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River At Meredith | 230 cfs | → |
| Fryingpan River Near Thomasville | 178 cfs | → |
| North Fork Fryingpan River Near Norrie | 42 cfs | → |
| Hunter Creek Near Aspen | 8 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River Near Aspen | 150 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ruedi.
Boat launches
- Wingo Boat Ramp
- Homestake Reservoir Boat Ramp Day Use Area
- Community Boat Ramp
- Dotsero Landing Boat Ramp
- Eagle Valley Trail Avon
- Wolcott Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Ruedi Marina Campground
- Little Maud
- Mollie B
- Mollie B Campground
- Little Maud Campground
- Little Mattie Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Castle Creek
- Catherine Store Section
- Headwaters To Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary
- Carbondale To Westbank (Pink To Black)
- Lower Eagle (Edwards Water Plant To Eagle)
More reservoirs
Track Ruedi 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 Ruedi
Where does the data for Ruedi 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 High 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 Ruedi.