Milton Lake dam
Milton Lake
Milton Lake, located in Kersey, Weld County, Colorado, is a privately owned water reservoir primarily used for irrigation purposes. This Earth-type dam, completed in 1911, stands at a height of 50 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 44,650 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 21,695 acre-feet and a surface area of 2,660 acres, Milton Lake plays a crucial role in providing water for agricultural activities in the region.
Despite its age, Milton Lake remains in satisfactory condition, as indicated by its last inspection in December 2020. The dam has a high hazard potential but is well-maintained and meets regulatory standards set by the Colorado Department of Water Resources. In the event of an emergency, the dam has protocols in place to ensure public safety, although specific details about emergency action plans are not provided in the data.
With its strategic location on the Beebe Seep Canal and its vital role in water resource management, Milton Lake serves as a significant asset for the community of Kersey and surrounding areas. As a key component of the irrigation infrastructure in Weld County, this reservoir contributes to the sustainability of agriculture in the region while adhering to state regulations and ensuring safe operations for all stakeholders involved.
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 Milton Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Thompson River At Mouth | 74 cfs | → |
| Cache La Poudre River Near Greeley | 55 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Near Kersey | 362 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Fort Lupton | 165 cfs | → |
| St. Vrain Creek At Mouth | 181 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek At Mouth Near Fort Lupton | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Milton Lake.
Campgrounds
- Missile Site Park
- St. Vrain State Park
- Union Reservoir
- Boyd Lake State Park
- Boulder County Fairground
- Jackson Lake State Park
Fishing spots
- Hudson Fishing Pond
- Banner Lakes Swa
- Ehrlich Lake
- Cache La Poudre Reservoir Inlet
- Allen Park Lake
- Poudre Ponds
Track Milton 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 Milton Lake
Where does the data for Milton 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 High 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 Milton Lake.