Bunker Lake dam
Bunker Lake
Bunker Lake, also known as Bunker Basin or Haley Reservoir, is a private irrigation reservoir located in Rio Blanco, Colorado. Built in 1913, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a storage capacity of 307 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of irrigation, Bunker Lake serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding agricultural community.
Although Bunker Lake is classified as having a low hazard potential, it is considered to have a high risk level due to its condition assessment being "Not Rated". The last inspection of the dam took place in July 1990, with an inspection frequency of 6 years. Despite its risk level, the reservoir does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, which could pose challenges in the event of an emergency situation.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Bunker Lake will find it intriguing for its historical significance, its role in irrigation, and its potential risk level. As a privately owned reservoir, it plays a crucial role in supporting the agricultural activities in the region while also highlighting the importance of proper dam maintenance and emergency preparedness in water resource management.
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 Bunker Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 7 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 392 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Milner | 1,950 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Elkhead Creek Near Hayden | 2,340 cfs | → |
| Yampa River At Steamboat Springs | 1,150 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bunker Lake.
Boat launches
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
- Us 40 Routt County
- Pinball Access Boat Ramp
- Catamount Bridge Boat Ramp
- Pebble Beach Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Sheriff Reservoir Campground
- Sheriffs Reservoir
- Chapman Reservoir
- Chapman Reservoir Campground
- Vaughn Lake
- Trout Creek
Fishing spots
- Crosho Lake
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
- Yamcolo Reservoir
- Lake Of The Woods
- Trappers Lake
- Stagecoach Reservoir
Paddle runs
- Pumphouse To Double Bridges
- Burns To Dotsero
- Lower Fish Creek
- Headwaters To Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary
- South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
- Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
More reservoirs
Track Bunker Lake 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 Bunker Lake
Where does the data for Bunker Lake 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 Bunker Lake.