Bar-Bee Lake dam
Bar-Bee Lake
Bar-Bee Lake, located in Routt County, Colorado, is a privately owned reservoir with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock watering, and serving as a small fish pond. Built in 1974, this earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet, with a hydraulic height of 27 feet and a structural height of 27 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 74 acre-feet and a surface area of 6 acres, making it an essential water resource for the surrounding area.
Bar-Bee Lake is situated on Beaver Creek and serves multiple purposes, including irrigation and recreation. Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam is inspected every six years to ensure its safety and functionality. The spillway, with a width of 103 feet, is uncontrolled, and the maximum discharge capacity is 2050 cubic feet per second. With its picturesque location and moderate risk assessment, this reservoir is a vital contributor to the local ecosystem and water supply.
Owned by a private entity, Bar-Bee Lake plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. Its strategic location in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and its proximity to various water sources make it an integral part of the local water system. With its multiple purposes and recreational opportunities, this reservoir is a significant asset for both water enthusiasts and climate advocates who value sustainable water management practices.
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 Bar-Bee Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 16 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 7 cfs | → |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 347 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek Above Antelope Creek Nr. Kremmling | 74 cfs | → |
| Fish Cr At Upper Sta Nr Steamboat Springs | 274 cfs | → |
| Yampa River At Steamboat Springs | 987 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bar-Bee Lake.
Boat launches
- Uncompahgre Road Routt County
- Radium Rec Site Boat Ramp
- Catamount Bridge Boat Ramp
- Two Bridges Boat Ramp
- Confluence Rec Site Boat Ramp
- State Bridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Stagecoach State Park
- Lynx Pass Campground
- Lynx Pass
- Red Dirt Reservoir Recreation Area
- Rock Creek Recreation Area
- Meadows
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
- Lower Fish Creek
- Colorado River Segment 5
- Pumphouse
- Colorado River Segment 4
- State Bridge To Two Bridges
More reservoirs
Track Bar-Bee 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 Bar-Bee Lake
Where does the data for Bar-Bee 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 Bar-Bee Lake.