Walsenburg Ponds dam
Walsenburg Ponds
Walsenburg Ponds, located in Huerfano County, Colorado, are a vital water resource for irrigation purposes along the Cucharas River. Built in 1910, these ponds have a dam height of 14 feet and a storage capacity of 108 acre-feet. With a surface area of 2 acres, these ponds play a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Although last inspected in 1989, the hazard potential of Walsenburg Ponds is rated as low, and the condition assessment is currently not rated. Despite being state-regulated and having necessary permits, the risk assessment for these ponds is considered high, indicating the importance of proper risk management measures. The absence of a spillway and the outdated inspection date raise concerns about the safety and maintenance of this water structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Walsenburg Ponds serve as a historic and functional feature in the local landscape, providing essential irrigation water for agriculture. The ponds, with their earth dam construction, are a reminder of the region's agricultural heritage and the importance of responsible water management. With proper maintenance and risk management, these ponds will continue to support the agricultural community while preserving the natural environment along the Cucharas River.
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 Walsenburg Ponds -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Huerfano River At Badito | 13 cfs | → |
| Cucharas River At Boyd Ranch | 5 cfs | → |
| Huerfano R Bl Huerf Valy Dam Nr Undercliffe | 0 cfs | → |
| Huerfano R At Manzanares Xing | 15 cfs | → |
| Trinchera C Ab Turners Ranch | 6 cfs | → |
| Purgatoire River At Trinidad | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Walsenburg Ponds.
Campgrounds
- Pinon - Lathrop State Park
- Yucca - Lathrop State Park
- Camp Joseph
- Greenhorn Meadows Park
- Cordova Pass Picnic Area And Campground
- Lake Isabel Cabin
Fishing spots
- Martin Lake
- Horseshoe Reservoir (Lathrop Sp)
- Huerfano State Wildlife Area
- Daigre And Wahatoya Lake
- Wahatoya Lake Reservoir
- Lake Beckwith
Track Walsenburg Ponds 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 Walsenburg Ponds
Where does the data for Walsenburg Ponds 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 Walsenburg Ponds.