Gold Lake #1 dam
Gold Lake #1
Gold Lake #1 in Boulder, Colorado, is a privately owned Earth dam constructed in 1879 for the primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a dam height of 24 feet and a storage capacity of 587 acre-feet, this reservoir covers a surface area of 34 acres and is fed by the Bell Gulch stream. The dam has a significant hazard potential and is inspected every two years, with the last assessment conducted in October 2017, yielding a satisfactory condition rating.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Gold Lake #1 offers recreational opportunities in addition to its irrigation and wildlife preservation functions. Located in Longmont, the reservoir supports a diverse ecosystem and plays a vital role in the local water supply. The spillway is uncontrolled, with a width of 16 feet to manage a maximum discharge of 430 cubic feet per second. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Gold Lake #1 stands as a historic water resource in the region, contributing to the conservation efforts and recreational enjoyment of the surrounding area. With its rich heritage dating back over a century, this reservoir serves as a valuable asset for both wildlife and the community. As climate change impacts water resources worldwide, the proper management and upkeep of structures like Gold Lake #1 become increasingly crucial to ensure the resilience and sustainability of our water systems in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Gold Lake #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South St. Vrain Creek Near Ward | 46 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Orodell | 3 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 50 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek Near Orodell | 87 cfs | → |
| Middle Boulder Creek At Nederland | 101 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek At Lyons | 106 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gold Lake #1.
Boat launches
- Miramonte Road Boulder County
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Boat Launch Grand Lake
- Ralston Creek Trail Arvada
- Grand County
- Hilltop Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Glacier View Ranch
- Peaceful Valley
- Peaceful Valley Campground
- Camp Dick Campground
- Camp Dick
- Gordon Gulch Dispersed Camping Area
Fishing spots
- Red Rock Lake - Ipwa
- Moraine Lake - Ipwa
- Left Hand Reservoir - Ipwa
- Brainard Lake - Ipwa
- South Saint Vrain Fishing Site #5
- Pony Lake - Ipwa
Track Gold Lake #1 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 Gold Lake #1
Where does the data for Gold Lake #1 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 Significant 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 Gold Lake #1.