Upper Tule Lake dam
Upper Tule Lake
Upper Tule Lake, also known as Tule #1, is a private water resource located in Littleton, Colorado. Built in 1892, this earth dam serves multiple purposes including irrigation and recreation, with a primary focus on recreation. The dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a storage capacity of 204 acre-feet, providing vital water resources for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Colorado Department of Water Resources, Upper Tule Lake is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a significant hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam poses a moderate risk level. The spillway, with a width of 127 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for the discharge of up to 2302 cubic feet per second in times of high water flow. The dam's location on the South Platte River adds to its importance in managing water resources in the region.
Water and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Upper Tule Lake for its historical significance, engineering marvel, and important role in water management. With its picturesque surroundings and recreational opportunities, this private dam serves as a valuable asset for both locals and visitors alike. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and regulation of structures like Upper Tule Lake become increasingly crucial in ensuring sustainable water management practices for the future.
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 Upper Tule Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Platte River Below Union Ave | 15 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Mouth | 15 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Englewood | 24 cfs | → |
| Harvard Gulch At Harvard Park | 0 cfs | → |
| Harvard Gulch At Colorado Blvd. | 0 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Above Bear Creek Lake Near Morrison | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Tule Lake.
Boat launches
- West Quincy Avenue Denver
- Chatfield Lake North Boat Ramp
- Fisherman's Trail Lakewood
- C-470 Trail Lakewood
- Cherry Creek Park Road Centennial
- West 69th Avenue 4700, Westminster
Campgrounds
- Chatfield State Park
- Bear Creek Lake Park
- Chief Ouray Group Site
- Cherokee Group Site
- Arapahoe Group Site
- Cherry Creek State Park
Fishing spots
- Upper Tule Lake
- Bowles Grove Pond
- Watson Lake (Littleton)
- Marston Lake
- Centennial Park
- Sterne Pond (Kids Only)
Track Upper Tule 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 Upper Tule Lake
Where does the data for Upper Tule 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 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 Upper Tule Lake.